Browns Name 40 Yr Old Flacco Week 1 Starter

With all the buzz this offseason surrounding the young quarterbacks on the Browns, notably rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, many fans have been quick to overlook 40-year-old Joe Flacco. However, despite not being the center of attention, Flacco has steadfastly refused to fade into the background, persistently making his case to remain the team’s most likely starter in 2025. This Monday, his determination paid off when the Browns officially named Joe Flacco the Week 1 starter, as announced by Head Coach Kevin Stefanski.

Although the Browns have six quarterbacks under contract, a true competition for the starting role never fully developed during training camp. From the outset, Flacco was widely regarded as the frontrunner. Stefanski emphasized on Tuesday that Flacco had thoroughly “earned” the starting job, despite the numerous injuries that affected the quarterback competition throughout camp.

“Joe performed really well both in practice, in the joint practices, in the meeting room—you name it—in the walkthrough. Just what he’s able to bring to the football team. He’s earned that role,” Stefanski remarked, underscoring the veteran’s consistent preparation and leadership.

Flacco was the logical choice to open the season. His prior success running Stefanski’s system in 2023, which played a crucial part in helping the Browns reach the postseason, firmly positioned the 40-year-old as the best option. Flacco’s ability to stretch the field complements Stefanski’s offensive scheme, which relies heavily on play-action passing within a run-first framework. Moreover, his calmness and poise under pressure enable him to manage the game efficiently and keep the offense on schedule. Beyond just tactics, Flacco’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the playbook give him a significant advantage over younger quarterbacks still adjusting to the NFL’s pace and complexity. This edge was further magnified by the injury to fellow veteran Kenny Pickett, leaving the team leaning more heavily on Flacco’s steady presence as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

As we approach the last preseason game of the year, we should expect to see plenty of the rookies, as they are likely to get a big chunk of playing time. It would not be surprising if Shedeur Sanders delivers another solid showing and strengthens his case as the potential backup and eventual successor to Flacco when the time comes. However, for now, the plan is to have Joe under center leading the charge, and that’s where the focus will be as Week 1 approaches.