The Cleveland Browns long awaited quarterback battle is finally over. It was a four-man competition at the start of OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) runs for yards behind a block from quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during NFL training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.
Well, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Monday that the Browns will be starting quarterback Joe Flacco in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. This does not feel surprising to many people considering the fact that he has played here before. Flacco will start as well in the final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. The other quarterbacks in this competition were Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Kenny Pickett.
Cleveland Browns Fans Have Mixed Reactions To Joe Flacco Being Named Starting Quarterback
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Browns quarterback Joe Flacco watches the other quarterbacks during practice, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Berea.
It is not a surprise that Browns fans had mixed reactions to Flacco being named the starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Bengals. This is what some Cleveland fans had to say about Flacco being named the starting quarterback over the others on Twitter:
Unbelievable. The racism behind this decision…. SMH! Shadeur just finished a record-shattering preseason where he dominated the Panthers in one of the best single-game QB performances I’ve ever seen. And guess what? We’re starting the white guy. Should have seen this one coming.
— Ronnie (@ronplease39) August 18, 2025
But I thought Sanders was a star? 😂😂😂
— Brad (@BallKnowerBrad) August 18, 2025
Browns moving to Sanders after they start season 0-4.
— MikeTX (@miketx95) August 18, 2025
Eliminated from playoff contention
— LG (@Only1LG) August 18, 2025
Trade shadeur
— KILLA¬¬ (@Killa11211) August 18, 2025
During the 2024 NFL season, he played in eight games with the Indianapolis Colts. Flacco completed 65.3% of his passes for 1,761 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He is 40 years old. It is amazing that Flacco can still be a starting quarterback in this league. He won comeback player of the year two years ago when he led the Browns to the playoffs.
The biggest question for Cleveland will be after this, who will be the backup quarterbacks to Flacco? Will both Gabriel and Sanders as rookies make the roster? Is there a chance that the Browns will release or trade Sanders to another team and keep Pickett instead? Deshaun Watson will probably start the season on the PUP list or IR. There are so many questions that Cleveland will have to answer after the next preseason game.
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