Browns designate veteran QB Flacco as Week 1 starter

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have declared Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback for the season opener, as announced by the team on Monday.

Entering his 18th season in the NFL, Flacco will also take the field as the starter in the team’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at home. Coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned that the game will serve as a rehearsal for the regular season. Flacco did not participate in the Browns’ initial two preseason outings.

The Browns will host the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.

The team came into training camp with a quarterback battle involving four players: Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders (Deshaun Watson is sidelined on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from an Achilles injury). Nevertheless, due to injuries and a significant distribution of practice snaps, Flacco took the overwhelming majority of first-team repetitions.

Tyler Huntley will provide support considering the numerous injuries to quarterbacks.

At 40 years old, Flacco is returning to the Browns for a second term, following a five-game period in the 2023 season that is among the best quarterback performances the franchise has seen since its return in 1999. Following Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury in November 2023, the Browns acquired Flacco. Under his leadership, they achieved a 4-1 record in five regular-season games, with Flacco throwing for over 300 yards in four consecutive victories before their streak ended in a loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round. He was subsequently named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.

Flacco spent the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts, where he recorded a 2-4 start before returning to the Browns on a one-year deal valued at $4 million.

Dropped in the first round of the 2008 draft by the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco has accumulated 45,697 passing yards, along with 257 touchdowns and 162 interceptions over 17 seasons. He earned the MVP title of Super Bowl XLVII, leading the Ravens to a win against the San Francisco 49ers.

Cleveland will face Baltimore in Week 2, marking Flacco’s first start in Baltimore since the Ravens traded him after the 2018 season.

Flacco is among three quarterbacks to have a winning record with the Browns since their return, alongside Brian Hoyer (10-6) and Case Keenum (2-0).