PHILADELPHIA — The Cleveland Browns are nearing the end of one of the more intriguing quarterback competitions in the NFL this summer, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that prolonging the process could do more harm than good. The team has cycled through multiple quarterbacks during training camp and the early preseason, but as the regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7 rapidly approaches, there is a strong case to be made for ending the suspense now. The Browns should officially declare veteran quarterback Joe Flacco as their Week 1 starter and give him every first-team snap from this point forward.
Flacco, who signed with Cleveland last season and helped guide them to the playoffs, brings something to the table that none of the younger passers in camp can match: proven experience and composure in big games. The 39-year-old Super Bowl MVP isn’t a long-term solution, but he represents the Browns’ best immediate chance to beat a division rival on opening weekend. Naming him the starter now would allow the offense to fully gel around him, develop chemistry with the receivers, and sharpen timing with the starting offensive line.
Early in training camp, Flacco was somewhat behind the curve. Much of the focus was placed on the younger quarterbacks — including Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kenny Pickett, who joined the Browns this offseason in hopes of competing for the starting role. At the time, the organization believed it was important to evaluate those players and give them enough opportunities to show what they could do. Pickett, in particular, received a healthy share of first-team reps as the Browns looked to see whether he could bounce back from his inconsistent time with the Steelers.
However, the longer the competition has dragged on, the more obvious it has become that Flacco is the steadiest hand in the room. He may not possess the mobility of the younger quarterbacks, but he processes defenses quickly, protects the football, and commands respect in the huddle. His performance during joint practices this week against the Philadelphia Eagles highlighted those qualities. Flacco’s conversations with opposing quarterback Jalen Hurts, along with his calm execution against one of the NFL’s best defensive fronts, underscored just how valuable his presence can be.
The Browns have invested heavily in building a roster capable of competing immediately in the AFC North. With a talented defense led by Myles Garrett, a strong backfield anchored by Nick Chubb, and playmakers on the outside such as Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland cannot afford to gamble on uncertainty at quarterback to start the season. The opener against the Bengals — a divisional rival with Super Bowl aspirations of their own — is too important to leave in the hands of an inexperienced or inconsistent option.
Declaring Flacco the starter now would also provide stability to the locker room. Teammates want clarity, and while competition can be healthy, dragging it out can create unnecessary distraction. Players need to know who will lead them onto the field in Week 1, and rallying around a respected veteran like Flacco could energize the team heading into the final stretch of the preseason.
Of course, there are risks. At 39, Flacco is not immune to the physical challenges that come with age, and the Browns must manage his workload carefully. But those concerns are outweighed by the benefits of having a quarterback who has been in nearly every imaginable NFL situation. From playoff runs to high-pressure divisional battles, Flacco has seen it all, and his poise could make the difference in what is expected to be a tightly contested AFC North race.
Ultimately, the Browns’ coaching staff has a choice: continue the evaluation process a little longer and risk limiting Flacco’s preparation time, or make the call now and allow him to sharpen the offense ahead of the Bengals. Given the importance of Week 1 and the statement it could make for the rest of the season, the decision should be clear.
It’s time for the Browns to stop delaying and officially name Joe Flacco their starting quarterback. The sooner they do, the better prepared they will be to face Cincinnati in one of the most pivotal opening matchups of the 2025 NFL season.
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