The battle for the Cleveland Browns backup quarterback job has turned into a soap opera involving the team’s two young draft picks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday, August 18, that the Browns will name veteran quarterback Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback for the team’s September 7 regular season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The move probably doesn't come as a shock to most fans, as Flacco saw success in head coach Kevin Stefanski's offensive system when he signed mid-season in 2023. He also remains one of the only currently healthy quarterbacks on the Browns' roster.

Joe Flacco will be the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback to begin the 2025 campaign. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski named Flacco the starter for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals over Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.