The battle for the Cleveland Browns backup quarterback job has turned into a soap opera involving the team’s two young draft picks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday, August 18, that the Browns will name veteran quarterback Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback for the team’s September 7 regular season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Flacco was always the expected winner of this competition given his veteran presence and experience with head coach Kevin Stefanski. In 2023, Flacco was named Comeback Player of the Year and led the Browns to the postseason. He rejoined Cleveland this offseason after a year with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Cleveland Browns announced on Monday that veteran Joe Flacco will be the team's starting quarterback for its regular-season opener on Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.