Browns make bold choice for 2025 starting quarterback
The Cleveland Browns have a wide range of options at QB with the arrivals of Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. But neither of them will start in Week 1.
With one game of preseason remaining, the Cleveland Browns have made their selection for starting quarterback in the 2025 NFL season.
On Monday the Browns confirmed that veteran QB Joe Flacco will get the nod for the opening game of the new season.
The 40-year-old is entering his 18th season in the NFL and will start for the Browns against the Cincinnati Bengals in their Week 1 clash. He will also start in Saturday’s final preseason fixture against the Los Angeles Rams.
Flacco did not play in either of the Browns’ first two preseason games but head coach Kevin Stefanski has opted for experience to begin the season.
“The last couple of weeks, honestly, it’s been pretty good for me,” Flacco told reporters last week. “I’ve gotten to get more reps and get comfortable and feel like I’m doing things at a pretty high level.”
The Browns drafted two quarterbacks this year - Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders - but both rookies will have to earn their chances as starting QB. Going forward Cleveland also have the option of Kenny Pickett, a first round pick from 2022 who suffered a hamstring injury last month and has not yet features in 11-on-11 practice sessions.
Flacco spent last year with the Indianapolis Colts but went 2-4 as a starter. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2008, he was named the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII as the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers. Stefanski believes that the same quality is still there with Flacco.
“Joe’s the same guy that he was then,” the head coach said. “He’s the same guy every single day.”
“I think that’s one of the things you admire about Joe is how he approaches his business. He’s done a really nice job in camp. He’s also done a really nice job just providing leadership to the quarterback room, to the offense and to the football team.”
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