Quick Read
- Joe Flacco, a seasoned 40-year-old veteran, has been named the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season.
- Flacco’s leadership and experience, including a Super Bowl victory, played a key role in his selection.
- Injuries to other quarterbacks cleared the way for Flacco, who remained healthy and consistent during training camp.
- Flacco previously led the Browns to a 4-1 record in 2023, securing a playoff berth with standout performances.
- The Browns face a challenging early-season schedule, with Flacco poised to bring stability to the team.
Joe Flacco, a name synonymous with experience and resilience in the NFL, has officially been named the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns as they kick off the 2025 NFL season. The announcement, made on August 18, 2025, solidifies Flacco’s role as the leader of a team in transition, aiming to build on past successes and navigate a challenging early-season schedule.
Flacco’s Journey to the Starting Role
The decision to name Flacco as the Browns’ Week 1 starter came after an offseason filled with intense competition and unforeseen challenges. At 40 years old, Flacco brings a wealth of experience to the position, having played 18 seasons in the NFL. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Flacco boasts 191 career starts, a 105-86 record, and a Super Bowl XLVII victory to his name.
Flacco’s path to the starting role wasn’t without obstacles. The Browns’ quarterback competition was marred by injuries to other contenders, including rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, as well as Kenny Pickett. While Gabriel and Sanders dealt with hamstring and oblique injuries respectively, Pickett has been sidelined since late July. Flacco, on the other hand, remained healthy throughout training camp, enabling him to take consistent reps with the first-team offense during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles, according to USA Today.
Veteran Leadership and Past Success
Flacco’s appointment as the starting quarterback is not just a testament to his durability but also to his leadership qualities and past performances with the Browns. In the 2023 season, Flacco joined Cleveland amidst a wave of injuries in the quarterback room. He led the team to a 4-1 record in five regular-season starts, a feat that secured a wild-card playoff berth. During that stretch, he became the first quarterback in franchise history to record four consecutive 300-yard passing games, as highlighted by The New York Times.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has repeatedly praised Flacco for his consistency and professionalism. “Joe is the same guy every single day. That’s one of the things you admire about him,” Stefanski remarked. The Browns re-signed Flacco in April 2025 to provide stability and veteran insight, particularly as the team navigates a period of transition following Deshaun Watson’s injury and the organization’s decision to move on from their hefty investment in him.
Preparation for the 2025 Season
Despite not playing in the first two preseason games, Flacco used training camp and joint practices to fine-tune his skills and develop chemistry with the starting offense. “When you get more reps, you start to feel like yourself,” Flacco shared during an August 13 interview. His pocket-passing ability and calm demeanor under pressure have been cited as key attributes that make him an ideal fit for the Browns’ offensive strategy.
As the Browns prepare for their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7, Flacco is expected to play in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. This game will serve as a final tune-up for the veteran quarterback, who is set to become the second-oldest Week 1 starter in the NFL this season, trailing only Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
A Team in Transition
The Browns are entering the 2025 season with a revamped quarterback room and tempered expectations. Flacco’s leadership will be crucial as the team faces a tough early-season schedule and works to integrate younger players into the roster. His ability to mentor rookies like Sanders and Gabriel, while also delivering consistent performances on the field, positions him as a cornerstone for the Browns’ immediate future.
“Joe’s experience and leadership are invaluable,” Stefanski stated. “He’s been in different locker rooms, played on different teams, and won a Super Bowl. That knowledge is something you can’t teach, and it’s something our team can lean on.”
As the Browns turn the page on a tumultuous chapter in their history, Joe Flacco stands ready to lead the team into a new era with poise, determination, and a wealth of experience.