The Cleveland Browns have finished their offseason workout program without resolving the question of who will be the starting quarterback, a question that has lingered since the NFL draft finished. Due to his experience and youth, Kenny Pickett currently has a slight edge to start in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, don’t count out the rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders as both are refusing to back down, with Sanders reportedly stealing the show according to team insiders.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski faces a tricky decision that he’s likely to delay until the preseason matchups in August. Amid the chaos, Joe Flacco remains a calm presence, heading to his 18th NFL season, he trails only Aaron Rodgers (21) in active years. However, his role seems more akin to that of an extra coach than a contender for the top spot.
A Veteran’s Grace Under Pressure
With rookies Sanders and Gabriel eager for their chance, Flacco has taken a backseat without complaint. He’s not clamoring for attention or fighting for extra reps-he’s just showing the kind of veteran poise he’s displayed throughout his storied career. “They don’t need to hand me every snap now. They know I’m ready when it counts,” he said earlier this offseason. His last full season as a starter was in 2017 with the Baltimore Ravens. They finished 9-7, but missed the postseason with a career-low 3,141 passing yards.
The following year, he was replaced by Lamar Jackson, closing out his Ravens tenure. That run was highlighted by a Super Bowl XLVII victory in 2013, when Flacco earned MVP honors with 287 yards and three touchdowns. In 2023, Flacco proved his worth with the Browns. He stepped in late and won four of his five starts. He clinched a playoff berth, won Comeback Player of the Year, and led the team to the postseason, where they fell to Houston.
Flacco’s Career Goes From Star to Steady Backup
Flacco’s sacrifice hasn’t answered the Browns’ biggest question, but it has kept the locker room steady. If the young players falter, he’s proven that he can still deliver, just don’t expect him to make a fuss about it. Since being benched in 2018, Flacco has emerged as one of the NFL’s premier backups. After playing for the Baltimore Ravens, he spent one year with the Denver Broncos, then played for three seasons with the New York Jets, one with theCleveland Browns, and another with the Indianapolis Colts.
He is now back with the Browns. Once known for slinging deep passes-his Super Bowl win was fueled by those long bombs-he has adapted to a supporting role. His career numbers are impressive: He has thrown for 45,697 yards, 257 touchdowns, and 162 interceptions across 191 starts, not to mention that Super Bowl ring.
For the Browns, who have cycled through 40 starting quarterbacks since 1999, with only two lasting a full season, Flacco’s experience is a safety net. While his willingness to step aside might not settle the Week 1 debate, it’s a selfless move that could shape the future if either Sanders or Gabriel emerges as the answer.
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