Joe Flacco addition already paying off for Browns

Browns QB competition will be a big focus of training camp with Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel

When the Cleveland Browns traded for QB Kenny Pickett, many were concerned that he was the only veteran option the team would add this offseason. Then, shortly before the 2025 NFL draft, the Browns brought back the fans’ 2023 hero, QB Joe Flacco, on a one year deal. Flacco has been vocal about his expectations to win the job, what leadership is really about and reiterated his thoughts on being a mentor (or not) as a part of his job.

The mentor comments received blowback from a lot of places including Flacco’s former teammate despite current teammate Shedeur Sanders having nothing but praise for the elder quarterback.

While age might be a “myth,” Flacco will have to have some trust in Cleveland HC Kevin Stefanski based on how OTAs and minicamps went.

Zak Jackson, who made waves for saying Dillon Gabriel didn’t look like an NFL quarterback, noted that Flacco’s addition this offseason is already paying off ($, subscriber):

Flacco is the best pure thrower of the four-man quarterback group, even at 40, but it’s his steadiness and experience that make him such a valuable addition right now. Flacco both mastered the offense quickly and earned the respect of the locker room during his 2023 stint with Cleveland. It was clear this spring that players, young and old, can lean on Flacco as the Browns go about the business of trying to fix their broken offense.

The Browns and Flacco are both walking a bit of a fine line with his role. The veteran quarterback obviously wants to win the job and Cleveland’s brass want to develop the young quarterbacks as much as possible. Both can happen but can create some tension in the room down the road if the goals become conflicting.