The Cleveland Browns opened their 2025 season with a narrow 17-16 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7, a result that raised as many questions about Joe Flacco’s future as it answered.
While his performance showed flashes of reliability, mistakes and missed opportunities overshadowed what could have been a statement victory for Kevin Stefanski’s AFC North side.
The 39-year-old, back at Huntington Bank Field after a stint with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, was making his first start for the Browns since guiding them to the postseason two years ago – a 2023 run that earned him NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
And on paper, his stat line offered reasons for optimism as he completed 31 of 45 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown, distributing the ball widely across his receiving corps.
Yet two interceptions and a series of costly drops derailed Cleveland’s chances of securing the opener before a missed late field goal sealed the one-point defeat, leaving the Browns to reflect on wasted opportunities.
“That’s football. I’m wishing I threw it a little bit better…we’re all going home tonight and trying to sleep with that on our chest,” Flacco said, admitting the frustration of turnovers and miscues, though he was quick to put them in perspective.
His words underscored the fine margins of the contest as the Browns’ receivers did benefit from Flacco’s aggressive passing approach, with four different players recording at least five receptions and surpassing 50 yards.
Jerry Jeudy led the team with 66 yards on five catches, Dylan Sampson hauled in eight passes for 64 yards, Harold Fannin Jr. added seven receptions for 63 yards, and Cedric Tillman caught five passes for 52 yards, including the team’s lone touchdown.
So there is life in the passing game, but still, the rhythm between quarterback and receivers was inconsistent as Flacco’s interceptions stalled drives and handed momentum back to the Bengals.
Drops at crucial moments compounded the issues, preventing the Browns from capitalizing on scoring chances. For Cleveland, the result was a painful reminder of how quickly a promising afternoon can unravel.
Could Flacco be dropped for Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders?
The Browns’ one-point loss did not just resonate in Ohio-it also caught the attention of rising stars as both Gabriel and Sanders could capitalize on Flacco’s uneven outing on Sunday.
Gabriel’s precision passing at the Oregon Ducks and Sanders’ leadership at the Colorado Buffaloes have already made them fixtures in the Cleveland quarterback room, and both QBs are ready to seize any scraps left on the table.
As the Browns regroup from their opening loss, Flacco’s veteran presence remains valuable, but the questions surrounding sustainability and succession will not fade quickly.
With 16 games remaining, the margin for error is already thin, and whether Flacco can deliver enough consistency to keep Cleveland competitive-or whether the Browns begin to look elsewhere-will define their season.
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