The Cleveland Browns opened training camp with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders all competing for the starting job. Then, the Browns added another quarterback into the mix in Tyler Hunter, after Flacco was the only one of the original quartet not to deal with an injury.
Flacco and Pickett didn’t play in Cleveland’s first two preseason games, paving the way for the other three to make their cases for the job. Now, the Browns are officially naming their starter heading into the 2025 season, according to one prominent league insider.
“The #Browns are naming QB Joe Flacco as their starter, the end of a training camp competition that never really was. Flacco quickly emerged as QB1, while the others battled injuries. The player who led them to the playoffs in 2023 is back,” reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Monday.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Wait nobody is actually surprised at this right? Ain’t no way Browns fans want Shedeur or Gabriel thrown to the wolves in year 1? They are battling injuries and inexperience,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Weak,” was all another fan had to say about the decision.
“Joe Flacco is a nepo baby veteran qb,” another fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see if Flacco manages to hold onto the job for the entire season.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.