Joe Flacco opens up after beating Shedeur Sanders as Browns' starting QB: "It’s just business as usual"

The Cleveland Browns have made their decision, and it’s official: Joe Flacco will lead the team as starting quarterback for the 2025-26 NFL season. While many expected the veteran to win the job, questions lingered over whether rookies Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders could push him for the role. After weeks of speculation, Flacco has silenced the chatter with both his play and his trademark calm demeanor.

Flacco’s ice-cold response to securing QB1

At 40 years old, Flacco remains unfazed by the noise surrounding the Browns’ quarterback competition. When asked about being named the starter, the veteran delivered a characteristically measured response.

“Listen, it’s just business as usual,” Flacco said. “Go out there and get another good practice in, get some rest with the guys and continue to work towards what we’ve been all training camp...Like I said, you keep your head down and you just try to do your best, and I felt like I was having a good camp with the reps that I was given, and that’s all you can do.”

Far from basking in the moment, Joe Flacco made it clear that his focus is on preparation and consistency. “I don’t know if I was very emotional about it, but listen, you don’t take for granted opportunities in this league, especially to get one at this point in my career is definitely special, but like I said, it’s pretty much business as usual and just kind of trying to get better,” he added.

Experience over youth

The Browns’ quarterback room is stacked with young talent, but head coach Kevin Stefanski ultimately leaned on experience. Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel showed promise throughout camp, but neither could match the poise and reliability that Flacco brings. His Super Bowl-winning pedigree and ability to manage high-pressure situations remain unmatched.

For now, Flacco is making it clear that his role is to play, not to serve as a mentor. While the rookies continue their development, the Browns’ immediate priority is winning games, and Joe Flacco provides the stability to make that happen.

Looking Ahead: From preseason to familiar rivalries

Flacco’s first preseason snaps came against the Los Angeles Rams in Cleveland’s final tune-up game. The real test, however, comes in Week 1, when the Browns face the Baltimore Ravens—Flacco’s former team and the franchise with whom he lifted his lone Super Bowl trophy.

The matchup not only carries historical weight but also sets the stage for how Joe Flacco’s second act in Cleveland could unfold. For fans and critics alike, one thing is clear: Flacco is not ready to fade quietly into retirement.