Joe Flacco edged Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Tyler Huntley to Cleveland's Week 1 starter job, becoming the second-oldest quarterback in the league this season behind Aaron Rodgers. The Browns paired a veteran presence with a room packed with youth, aiming to balance leadership with upside as they lean on a run-first offense and a ceiling-limited aerial attack. Flacco’s one-year, $4 million deal signals stability for a team intent on stabilization before young signal-callers come into their own.

Flacco’s eight-game pace last season—65.3% completions, 1,761 yards, 12 TDs, 7 INT—paints him as a floor play rather than a fantasy ceiling. In two-QB formats he’s a viable QB2 or streamer if Cleveland commits to protection and play-action, but his upside hinges on health and the offense around him. The QB room behind him remains dynamic, with Gabriel and the other contenders fighting for long-term impact. The Brady and Rodgers references in the chatter underline a broader NFL trend: veteran longevity exists, but fantasy upside is schedule-driven and often limited by age.