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Kevin Stefanski defends controversial decision

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski tries to defend controversial QB move

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 8:04 AM ET

In one of the most controversial decisions of the NFL offseason, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski named veteran Joe Flacco his starting quarterback. Not expecting much out of the 2025 season, some Browns fans became incensed, hoping he would instead allow one of the younger signal-callers to develop throughout the year.

But with the regular season starting, Stefanski's mentality is becoming even clearer: He believes in Flacco and feels the Browns can win with him under center. Stefanski even called Flacco "physically the same" as he was in 2023 when he came to Cleveland late in the year and led the Browns to an improbable playoff berth. In five games, Flacco completed 60.3% of his passes, threw for 1,616 yards and posted 13 touchdowns to eight interceptions.

"He's gotten all of the work (since being named starter) with those ones to sharpen up his game, get comfortable with the guys around him," Stefanski explained to reporters after practice on Wednesday.

#Browns Kevin Stefanski said Joe Flacco is, "physically the same" as in 2023, but has gotten a lot more work this time around:

"He's gotten all of the work (since being named starter) with those ones to sharpen up his game, get comfortable with the guys around him..." pic.twitter.com/Fgsxsw1PUP
— Leah Doherty (@LeahDohertyTV) September 3, 2025

Joe Flacco won the Browns' battle of veteran quarterbacks

Soon after appointing Flacco, the Browns shipped Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders, clearly indicating he was no longer of use. Pickett lost the battle of the veterans to Flacco.

While 2025 draft picks Dillon Gabriel and the often-polarizing Shedeur Sanders are left waiting for an opportunity to see the field in a game that matters, Stefanski is confident Flacco can be successful enough to delay worrying about playing either rookie.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Of course, only time will tell if Stefanski is right with his bet on Flacco. The odds of a 40-year-old quarterback, even one who once put together the cleanest run to Super Bowl ever, turning back the clock again are slim. It seems even more impossible to believe Flacco will be able to mimic two years ago for an entire season instead of just five regular-season games and one in the playoffs.

But Stefanski believes, or at least that's what he's saying as Cleveland heads into a season many expect to be a gap year before they select another quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.

It's also very possible that Stefanski realizes turning to his reliable veteran is the only way he will still be at the helm a year from now.

In Kevin Stefanski we trust?

Maybe Browns fans owe their most successful coach of the century the benefit of the doubt. Stefanski, twice named the Associated Press' Coach of the Year, has led Cleveland to two playoff berths since taking over an often-middling Browns franchise in 2020.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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