Joe Flacco is already looking ahead after being named the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback.

The Browns decided that the veteran signal caller is their best shot at finding success early on in the 2025 season.

He wasn’t born’ – Browns coach gives clear message on Shedeur Sanders-Joe Flacco dynamic as latest minicamp clip turns heads

Flacco has come out on top in the Browns QB sagaCredit: GETTY
The Browns quarterback saga has rumbled on throughout the offseason.

Now, Flacco will be QB1, with Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders following him on the Browns depth chart in that order.

It’s a blow, albeit an expected one, for the likes of Gabriel and Sanders, although the former has already been tipped to eventually steal Flacco’s job.

The 40-year-old Flacco took the emotion out of the situation and maintained it was all about business when speaking with reporters on Tuesday.
“Listen, it’s just business as usual,” Flacco coldly said.“Go out there and get another good practice in, get some rest with the guys and continue to work towards what we’ve been all training camp. . . .

Like I said, you keep your head down and you just try to do your best, and I felt like I was having a good camp with the reps that I was given, and that’s all you can do.”

“I don’t know if I was very emotional about it, but listen, you don’t take for granted opportunities in this league, especially to get one at this point in my career is definitely special, but like I said, it’s pretty much business as usual and just kind of trying to get better,” Flacco said.

Flacco’s first test will be against the Cincinnati Bengals before returning to a place he knows all too well in Week 2.

Flacco looking forward to playing in Baltimore

The Browns’ second game is against the Baltimore Ravens, a team Flacco spent ten years with.

It’s where he won his only Super Bowl, doing so in 2012.

And after that impressive stint with the Browns in 2023, which saw him win NFL Comeback Player of the Year, he returned to the Ravens after one year with the Indianapolis Colts.

“I love playing in Baltimore. Such a special place, unbelievable fans, division game.” Flacco told reporters in a press conference.

“I mean, it just does not get any better than that. You know, that is what the plan is, and that would definitely be very exciting.”

Flacco’s successful stint with the Ravens

Flacco started his NFL career with the Ravens, joining the team in the 2008 draft as the 18th overall pick.

He created instant history as the pick, becoming the highest ever drafted player from the University of Delaware.

Flacco became the starting quarterback immediately after the incumbent Kyler Boller suffered a season-ending injury, while the other signal caller, Troy Smith, was out with illness.

Flacco beat out starting competition from the likes of Shedeur SandersCredit: GETTY

Flacco spoke about his excitement about playing in BaltimoreCredit: GETTY
Flacco went on to enjoy a successful rookie season.

He became the third rookie quarterback in NFL history to win his first postseason start after the Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins.

He backed that up by leading them to the AFC Championship before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Flacco was named the Rookie of the Year after his stellar season.

The Ravens would reach the playoffs each season over the next three years with Flacco at the helm.

And in the 2012 season, Flacco would reach the pinnacle of football.
Never done it! Joe Flacco calls out Cleveland Browns rookie as Shedeur Sanders receives clear message from coach
The Ravens reached the Super Bowl by beating the Colts, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots during their postseason run.It set up a clash with the San Fransisnco 49ers in the Super Bowl.

Flacco’s three touchdowns and 22 of 33 passes spurred the Ravens on to a 34-31 win and a Super Bowl victory.
After his contract expired at the end of that season, Flacco was rewarded with a six-year contract worth $120 million, which made him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL at the time.