Cleveland Browns Name Joe Flacco Starting Quarterback for Week 1

The Cleveland Browns have chosen Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback for the first week of the season, despite the fierce competition from rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

Flacco, a seasoned quarterback and Super Bowl champion, is familiar with the offensive strategies of head coach Kevin Stefanski. He seems to have a knack for securing starting roles, while newcomers like Sanders, Gabriel, and Kenny Pickett aimed to carve out their own chances through impressive performances in preseason and training camp.

“Honestly, the past few weeks have been pretty good for me,” Flacco remarked on the team’s website. “I got more reps, felt comfortable, and was operating at a high level.”

In his first preseason game, Sanders put up a solid challenge for the QB1 position, throwing two touchdown passes against the Carolina Panthers. However, an oblique injury prevented him from playing in the subsequent game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gabriel made his case during that game, completing 13 out of 18 passes for 143 yards, though he did face an interception.

Interestingly, Flacco sat out the preseason matchup, which, I suppose, might have been a strategic decision. He’s entering his 18th NFL season after spending last year with the Indianapolis Colts, stepping in when Anthony Richardson was sidelined due to injury. Flacco finished that stretch with 1,761 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Last season, the Browns struggled, ending with a 3-14 record. They are set to kick off this year against the Cincinnati Bengals.