Cleveland anticipates Joe Flacco’s first prominent action of the preseason as the Browns wind down exhibition play, aiming to lock in the starter role he earned over a quartet of challengers—Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and Tyler Huntley. Flacco plans to take some snaps in the Aug. 23 finale against the Rams, using the appearance as a mental and strategic tune-up before Week 1 vs. Cincinnati. Injuries have kept the others limited in practice and games, with Sanders out due to an oblique issue, Gabriel hampered by a hamstring and Pickett dealing with a hamstring setback. The Browns hope this dress rehearsal helps the offense establish an identity, balance, and rhythm, particularly after Flacco’s prior Browns tenure and near-playoff push in 2023. A Week 2 trip to Baltimore looms, revisiting a franchise he spent 11 seasons with and that once yielded a Super Bowl MVP moment, a subplot that adds intrigue to Cleveland’s early-season trajectory.

The Cleveland Browns named Joe Flacco their Week 1 starter, choosing the most experienced quarterback from a five-man Training Camp battle that included Kenny Pickett, Tyler Huntley, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco’s veteran presence gives Cleveland a steadier 1st-week plan against Cincinnati, with the Bengals looming as the Week 1 foe at Huntington Bank Field. Sanders’ elevated preseason showing—two touchdown passes against the Panthers—was tempered by an injury, leaving Sanders sidelined while Huntley and Gabriel led the Week 1 dress rehearsal versus Philadelphia’s Eagles. The team has not yet announced the primary backup beyond Flacco, and the QB room remains unsettled behind him.

From a fantasy lens, Flacco’s Week 1 start could mean a more controlled passing attack, with opportunistic shots downfield tempered by veteran decision-making. Sanders remains an intriguing long-term target within Cleveland’s depth chart, while Huntley and Gabriel stay as high-upside backups whose roles could shift if injuries or attrition alter the Week 1 plan. The Browns open the season with a division rival, setting expectations for a measured opening script and early-season evaluation at quarterback and supporting cast.

Cleveland handed rookie Dillon Gabriel the start in Saturday’s preseason tilt versus Philadelphia, a prime audition with the Browns’ quarterback room banged up. With Shedeur Sanders sidelined by an oblique issue and Kenny Pickett unavailable due to hamstring woes, Gabriel should run with plenty of reps and showcase what he can offer as a pro debut. Joe Flacco remains the likely Week 1 favorite, while Tyler Huntley will work behind Gabriel, creating a crowded but compelling behind-the-scenes battle for the Browns’ QB depth chart.

Gabriel arrives with a storied college résumé (63 starts across UCF, Oklahoma, Oregon; 326 completions for 3,857 yards and 30 TDs in 2024 at Oregon; Big Ten MVP) that portends potential upside if he carries that productivity into the NFL. He’s a deep dynasty and best-ball target in superflex leagues, especially if he seizes the job as Cleveland navigates quarterback volatility in the coming weeks. This game won’t determine Week 1 status, but it’s a crucial data point for fantasy managers tracking Browns QB flow.

Beyond Gabriel, the Browns’ plan hinges on the balance of veteran presence and rookie opportunity. Flacco’s veteran steadiness anchors a room that could trend toward a multi-quarterback rotation in the short term, while Huntley’s addition adds intrigue for a midseason QB contest. For fantasy, the takeaways are clear: Gabriel’s performance could tilt how aggressively Cleveland sources QB depth, with dynasty rosters eyeing any signals of a future starter in this pipeline-rich team.