Flacco Fever Returns: Browns Name Joe Flacco Starting QB for Week 1 Showdown

Veteran Arm, Rookie Fire — Cleveland Goes with Experience to Open 2025 Season

📍Cleveland | August 18, 2025

BREAKING: The Cleveland Browns have officially named Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, confirming what many suspected but few expected when the former Super Bowl MVP re-signed with the team earlier this year.

The 40-year-old veteran, who revived his career during the Browns’ 2024 playoff run, will take the reins once again as the Browns face off against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers in their season opener.

💬 “Joe gives us the best chance to win right now,” head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters. “He’s playing with confidence, command, and that classic Flacco fire.”

🧠 Experience Over Experiment

Despite offseason buzz around younger options—including Dorian Thompson-Robinson and recent draftee Kellen Pryor—Flacco’s leadership, deep-ball accuracy, and pocket poise gave him the edge throughout training camp.

📊 Flacco by the Numbers:

• 2024 Regular Season: 5 starts, 4-1 record
• 1,472 yards, 13 TDs, 5 INTs
• Wild Card berth clinched after late-season heroics

🐶 Dawg Pound Reacts

Fans are divided but intrigued:

• “JOE IS HIM. Let the old man cook.”
• “Ride or die with Flacco until the wheels fall off.”
• “Didn’t expect it… but he’s earned it.”

🏈 What’s Next?

Week 1: Browns vs. Steelers — Sept. 8
It’s Flacco vs. Pickett in a high-stakes AFC North grudge match to kick off the season. Will the veteran magic return—or will the Browns be asking questions by Week 2?