Kevin Stefanski Delivers Blow to Shedeur Sanders As Joe Flacco’s Future Thrown Into Chaos at Browns

When camp opened, the question in Cleveland was simple: who’s QB1 in 2025? After a long period of uncertainty, HC Kevin Stefanski promised he would name the starter ahead of the preseason Week 2 showdown against the Eagles. And he kept his vow! The Browns, in their latest update, named the QB who would start the season.

“Joe Cool leading the way. We’ve named Joe Flacco our starting quarterback,” the team wrote on social media. The veteran, who is entering his 18th NFL season, will also start the third preseason game against the Rams at home on Saturday. The game will be a sort of dress rehearsal for the regular season, and considering Flacco did not play the first two preseason games, it will help him get into the groove.

The Cleveland Browns host the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.

Flacco seems the obvious choice, as despite a crowded QB room, injury complications thwarted their plans. He also took reps with the starters and veterans during camp and approached practice the same way he has in the past. When he was on the field taking reps, he focused on being the best version of himself, and that confidence is visible. “I’ve gotten to get more reps and get comfortable and feel like I’m doing things at a pretty high level,” he said on August 13.

But the biggest aspect is that coach Stefanski trusts him. “I think that’s one of the things you admire about Joe is how he approaches his business. He’s done a really nice job in camp. He’s also done a really nice job just providing leadership to the quarterback room, to the offense, and to the football team,” the coach said on August 13.

After spending years with the Ravens, Flacco went on to have relatively short stints with the Broncos, the Jets, the Browns in 2023, and the Colts. However, the Browns signed him once again in April because of his veteran experience and his previous success with them. Flacco’s pocket passer style and familiarity with the position room made the decision a lot easier for the team.

But here’s the thing: Coach Stefanski initially hoped that Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders would compete for the QB1 job. Unfortunately, the QB room started crumbling like dominoes. First, Pickett with a hamstring. Then, Sanders—shoulder first, then an oblique. Gabriel didn’t wait long either, limping out with his own hamstring. Flacco was the only healthy QB.

However, the 40-year-old can’t get too comfortable just yet. The rest of the QBs are waiting for the opportunity to step up whenever they are called upon.

Joe Flacco is the QB1, but not for the whole season

Ahead of the preseason Week 3 showdown, the Browns have surely confirmed Joe Flacco as the QB1. However, there is a wrinkle. The Browns and the NFL analyst, Tony Grossi, pointed out that “No indication in Browns announcement how long Joe Flacco will be their starting QB. Only mention the opening game. I wish not to read anything into that.” That’s something worth noting.

That means, Pickett, Shedeur, and Gabriel will still compete to grab the QB2 role. To spice it up, Pickett has been limited in practice since week 1 of the training camp due to his hamstring complications. That makes the job easy for the pair of rookie quarterbacks. Considering Flacco may not start the whole season, we can expect either Shedeur or Gabriel to step in whenever Stefanski and Co. call either of them.

The Browns are 2-0 in the 2025 preseason. All thanks to Shedeur and Gabriel. The Colorado Buffaloes’ product led the Cleveland team to a 30-10 win over the Panthers. Along the way, the rookie also recorded 14-of-23 for 138 yards and threw for two touchdowns. Meanwhile, when Shedeur Sanders injured his oblique ahead of the second preseason game, Gabriel grabbed the opportunity.

The QB managed to turn heads despite a pick-six against the Eagles. Gabriel completed 13-of-18 passes for 143 yards with zero TDs. With that being said, expect either Shedeur or Gabriel to step in at any point in the regular season. After all, the Browns haven’t confirmed how long Joe Flacco will start in 2025. What do you think?