Veteran Joe Flacco Takes Command as Browns’ Starting Quarterback for 2025 Season
Cleveland Browns Name Flacco as Starting Quarterback
The Cleveland Browns have officially announced veteran Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback for the 2025 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7. The decision comes after a training camp period where, despite having six quarterbacks under contract, Flacco emerged as the wire-to-wire frontrunner.
Experience and Leadership
Flacco, entering his 18th NFL season, brings crucial veteran leadership to the Browns. His previous stint with the team in 2023 proved successful, as he led the Browns to a 4-1 record and helped secure their first playoff berth since 2020 with a memorable victory over the Jets.
The quarterback has returned to Cleveland on a one-year, $4 million deal. His familiarity with Kevin Stefanski’s system and previous success with the team were key factors, as the Cleveland offense has demonstrated its best performance over the past three seasons with Flacco at the helm. The veteran quarterback has shown particular skill in making big plays while maintaining offensive consistency.
Challenging Road Ahead
The Browns face a demanding early schedule, with five of their first six games against playoff teams from last season, including divisional matchups against Cincinnati and Baltimore. The team’s decision to go with Flacco’s experience and familiarity with the system appears strategic given these challenging early-season matchups.
However, at 40 years old and having not appeared in more than nine games in a season since 2017, Flacco’s tenure as starter may not last the entire season. If the team encounters difficulties, the coaching staff might transition to one of their younger quarterbacks, as they’ll want to evaluate their options before the 2026 quarterback market.
Team Leadership Role
In his second stint with the organization, Flacco has made it clear that while he’s ready to show young quarterbacks how to compete, he doesn’t want to be pigeonholed as just a mentor. His leadership qualities have already been recognized, as he has been named one of the team captains for the 2025 season alongside Joel Bitonio, Corey Bojorquez, Myles Garrett, and Denzel Ward.
