Joe Flacco named Browns starting quarterback for Week 1 vs. the Bengals – Cleveland.com

Key Takeaways:

• Joe Flacco will start for the Browns in Week 1 versus the Bengals.
• The decision covers the opening of the 2025 season.
• Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced the starter ahead of the preseason finale, as promised.
• Cleveland says it still has “multiple long-term options” at quarterback.
• The move ends weeks of speculation surrounding the Browns’ quarterback competition.

Announcement and Immediate Stakes
Joe Flacco is officially the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback for their Week 1 clash with the Cincinnati Bengals, the team confirmed Monday. The declaration ends an off-season of speculation and sets the tone for the 2025 campaign.

Timing the Reveal
Head coach Kevin Stefanski had earlier “revealed [a] plan for naming Cleveland’s Week 1 starter,” intending to decide before the preseason finale. True to his word, the announcement precedes the Browns’ last exhibition game, giving the offense a clear leader as final preparations begin.

Roster Outlook
While installing Flacco under center, Cleveland emphasized it still possesses “multiple long-term options on roster.” The phrasing signals that the franchise views this choice as part of a broader strategy rather than a permanent settlement of the position.

What Comes Next
With the opener against Cincinnati looming, Flacco will take first-team snaps as the Browns transition from preseason sorting to regular-season execution. For Stefanski and his staff, the clarity at quarterback aims to streamline game-planning and galvanize a roster eager to make an early statement.

Looking Downfield
Naming a starter is only the first move in a season that promises further evaluation. As Cleveland prepares for Week 1, the quarterback room—headlined by Flacco but stocked with additional possibilities—remains central to the Browns’ long-term ambitions.