The Cleveland Browns have a lot of uncertainty at quarterback. That’s what happens for teams with five signal-callers on the offseason roster. One thing, though, has been rather clear for Cleveland — veteran Joe Flacco is projected to be the team’s starter behind center when the 2025 NFL regular season begins.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport disagrees with the plan to start Flacco. On Thursday, Davenport strongly argued the Browns should start Kenny Pickett to begin the season instead and cut Flacco.
“Right now, Joe Flacco is the only healthy quarterback on Cleveland’s dumpster fire of a roster. He’s also the only signal-caller in town who has experienced any real success in the NFL,” wrote Davenport.
“But he should absolutely not see the field for the Browns in 2025.
“Want experience? Fine. See if 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett can turn his career around in Cleveland. But at some point, the Browns have to see what they have in rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, especially after surprisingly using a third-round pick on the former.
“Cleveland has a pair of first-rounders in 2026: their own and Jacksonville’s. Flacco isn’t going to miraculously lead the Browns to the playoffs a la 2023. But he could win just enough games to mess up their chances of drafting an elite quarterback prospect without using both picks to trade up.”
The Browns brought back Flacco on a one-year deal in April. The 40-year-old spent the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts.
As Davenport mentioned, Flacco surprisingly led the Browns to the postseason during the 2023 season. He ended that campaign as the team’s starter, leading the team to a 4-1 record in the last five games.
Is Browns’ Joe Flacco a Preseason Cut Candidate?
Clearly, Davenport doesn’t expect much from Flacco. That’s understandable. The quarterback is two years older since his last postseason appearance, which ended with Flacco tossing two pick-sixes in the wild card round.
The Browns also don’t appear to have the roster to elevate a 40-year-old quarterback.
Having said that, it would be rather surprising if Flacco isn’t on Cleveland’s Week 1 roster. Just from a health standpoint, the Browns need Flacco.
Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders have all dealt with injuries during August. Gabriel returned to make his preseason debut Saturday. But Pickett remains out because of a hamstring injury, and Sanders suffered an oblique ailment Wednesday.
The fifth quarterback on Cleveland’s roster is Tyler Huntley.
If Pickett doesn’t return soon, the Browns may not feel comfortable with him behind center to begin the season. Pickett has practiced in limited fashion since sustaining the injury July 26.
Cutting Flacco would likely mean Cleveland starting one of their rookie signal-callers in Week 1.
Why Keeping Flacco Doesn’t Have to Hurt Browns’ 2026 QB Plans
Davenport’s concern that Flacco could ruin Cleveland’s 2026 draft plans is worth discussing. Of all the quarterbacks on the roster, Flacco has the best chance of helping the team win this season.
If Flacco wins enough games to keep the Browns relevant but not enough to make the postseason, then Cleveland could find itself in draft purgatory next spring.
Even if that’s the case, though, the Browns have two first-round picks they could pair together in a trade to move up the board.
Also, unless Flacco immediately starts a winning streak in September, he might not be the team’s starter by the midseason point. Gabriel and/or Sanders should see playing time when they are deemed ready.
Keeping Flacco to start Week 1 doesn’t really change that plan. But retaining Flacco could prevent the Browns from needing to start a rookie quarterback not yet ready for the QB1 job.
