Joe Flacco will start Cleveland's season opener against Cincinnati after emerging as the winner of a four‑way quarterback competition. At 40, Flacco brings veteran presence, durability (183 regular-season starts would be 191 in the article), and a track record of surprising efficiency when given an extended opportunity. He has taken the bulk of first‑team reps in camp and in joint practices, and Stefanski’s team views him as the steady hand to guide the offense in Week 1.

Deshaun Watson remains on the Browns’ roster but is expected to miss the season due to injuries, leaving Flacco as the likely Week 1 starter. Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders contested Flacco, with hamstring injuries and practice limitations cooling their push. Cleveland plans a dress rehearsal against the Rams and will need Flacco to anchor a revamped offense while the rest of the QB room recovers. The opener versus Cincinnati shapes early-season fantasy values for the Browns’ passing game, as leadership and stability trump upside in the short term.