How Joe Flacco has performed in NFL Week 1 throughout his career: stats and record

As the Cleveland Browns prepare for their final preseason game on Saturday, head coach Kevin Stefanski finally officially named their starting quarterback for the 2025-26 regular season: Joe Flacco.

The 40-year-old veteran was already suspected to be the Browns’ QB1 as Deshaun Watson is out with an injury, likely for most of the season, if not all of it. And behind him on the depth chart are Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, who are in a battle of their own amongst themselves for the QB2 spot now.

As the Browns approach their regular season opener in September, let’s take a look at how Flacco has performed as a starter in Week 1’s past.

Flacco’s career Week 1 record

Flacco’s journey as an NFL starter

Flacco has been in the NFL since 2008 when he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. He was immediately given the starting job as a rookie and it wasn’t long before he established himself as a reliable presence on the team.

Over the next decade, Flacco led Baltimore to six playoff appearances, two AFC North titles, and three trips to the AFC Championship Game. His crowning moment came in Super Bowl XLVII, when he delivered a flawless postseason capped by a Super Bowl MVP award after throwing 11 touchdowns with no interceptions, tying a record held by Joe Montana. That run earned him a then-record $120.6 million contract.

However, his career trajectory shifted in 2018. Declining play and a hip injury opened the door for rookie Lamar Jackson, and Baltimore traded Flacco to the Denver Broncos in 2019. His stint there was cut short by a neck injury, and he later moved into backup and journeyman roles with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles between 2020–2022.

Flacco’s career resurgence came in late 2023 when he signed with the Browns after Deshaun Watson got injured. He led them to an improbable playoff berth and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year. After a one-year stop with the Indianapolis Colts, Flacco returned to Cleveland in 2025, and has now officially been named the Week 1 starter at age 40.

Flacco’s Week 1’s

While his stats in previous Week 1 games may not look that impressive at first glance, they are solid, showing that Flacco is a reliable quarterback. Throughout his career, Flacco is 8-5 in season openers and has completed 60.2% of passes for 247.9 yards per game, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

The Browns will start their season on Sunday, September 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals at home at Huntington Bank Field. Flacco will get his start, with Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders behind him on the depth chart.

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