Flacco Has Support of Key Veterans to Be Week One Starter

There’s been a lot of noise surrounding the Browns’ quarterback situation following the acquisition of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in this year’s draft. Amidst all the excitement and speculation about these fresh talents, one member of the quarterback group has quietly earned significant praise from veteran players on the team—and it might not be the name you expect. Joe Flacco has solidified his standing with the Cleveland Browns, gaining both the trust of the coaching staff and the deep respect of the locker room. Notably, All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett has publicly expressed his support for Flacco as the team navigates what promises to be a crowded and competitive quarterback room.

Flacco’s advantage over the other three quarterbacks largely stems from his experience with the Browns during the 2023 season. Having already demonstrated his ability to effectively operate within Kevin Stefanski’s offensive scheme, Flacco brings a level of proven competence and leadership that can’t be overlooked. Over the final five games of the regular season, Flacco started in four wins and one loss, throwing for 1,616 yards while recording 13 touchdowns alongside eight interceptions during that stretch. His performance helped guide Cleveland to the postseason, though the team's journey ended abruptly in a 45–14 loss during the Wild Card round. Despite the disappointing playoff exit, Flacco’s steadiness and familiarity with the system remain key assets for the Browns as they plot their quarterback strategy moving forward.

At 40 years old, Joe Flacco is clearly not viewed as the long-term solution at quarterback. Instead, his potential role as a starter or significant contributor seems aimed at providing the Browns with breathing room—a transitional figure who can steady the team while management evaluates future options. Inserting Flacco as the signal caller temporarily allows the organization more time to thoroughly assess their quarterback situation without rushing into a premature decision.