Narrative about why Joe Flacco won Browns QB competition debunked

On Tuesday, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski poured cold water over the idea that veteran Joe Flacco won the team's starting quarterback job by default after the other three signal-callers involved in an alleged competition dealt with injury setbacks this summer. 

For an article published on Friday morning, Zac Jackson of The Athletic touched upon why Flacco is getting the nod for Cleveland's regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7.

"Flacco was the best on the field this summer," Jackson wrote about Cleveland's quarterback situation. "After a bland start to camp, he talked openly about getting better and more comfortable with more reps. That showed in his practice throws and growing rapport with Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland’s undisputed No. 1 wide receiver."

The Browns acquired 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles back in March, and he was supposed to serve as the main competition for Flacco through Cleveland's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams this Saturday. However, Pickett went down with a hamstring injury on July 26 that will keep him from taking a snap against an opposing defense before the regular season gets underway.

While the Browns reportedly "trust" 2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel over 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders, it's widely believed Stefanski never had any intention of giving either rookie an opportunity to leapfrog Flacco on the depth chart before both first-year pros missed time with injuries. 

Gabriel didn't play in Cleveland's preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers because of a hamstring problem, while Sanders sat out the Browns' 22-13 win over the Eagles on Aug. 16 due to an oblique issue. 

Meanwhile, Flacco is set to make his preseason debut versus the Rams and play "between 20 to 25 plays."

"Flacco won a four-man (plus an emergency fifth) quarterback competition by being the only one not to miss some training camp time due to injury," Jackson added. "But mostly, Flacco won the job with his performance. He can still fling it, quite obviously. Flacco won out on a team that’s been crying for experience, leadership and good quarterback play."

Flacco turns 41 years old in January 2026, so the Browns won't have much reason to stick with him if he has a losing record when the club enters its Week 9 bye. For now, Stefanski clearly believes the one-time Super Bowl MVP gives Cleveland the best chance to earn a victory over Cincinnati on the first Sunday of September.