Cleveland taps Joe Flacco to start Week 1 versus Cincinnati, citing health, reliability and Stefanski’s system fit as reasons the veteran earns the job. Flacco’s Week 1 presence anchors a Browns attack while Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders recover and compete behind him. The Browns will lean on Flacco’s playoff pedigree as Watson returns from injury, using the early slate to evaluate how Gabriel and Sanders can grow behind a steady veteran at the controls.

Flacco brings a long NFL resume, including a Super Bowl XLVII MVP and a notable 2023 comeback run for Cleveland that helped secure a playoff berth. After stints with the Colts and a return to Cleveland, he enters 2025 as the anchor in a plan that prioritizes health, experience and a measured developmental path for Gabriel and Sanders. The early schedule—Cincinnati, Baltimore, Green Bay, Detroit, Minnesota—tests whether Cleveland’s veteran option can deliver steady production while the rookies learn the pro game.

Fantasy takeaway: Flacco’s Week 1 start dampens immediate upside for Browns pass-catchers but could steady the offense enough to keep them in the streamer mix in deeper leagues. If he maintains efficient spark and the rookies show growth behind him, Cleveland could unlock more upside in later weeks as Watson returns and the QB room matures.

Cleveland’s plan for the preseason finale vs. the Rams centers on Joe Flacco handling the opening drive for 25–30 snaps, then Dillon Gabriel, followed by Shedeur Sanders, as Kenny Pickett sits with a hamstring issue. The Browns will feature their 2025 offense early, hoping to gauge both rookie quarterbacks in live setting behind a familiar supporting cast. It’s the first concrete look at the new offense and a bellwether for how Cleveland might deploy its QB depth this season.

With the veterans rotating out and the rookies getting more reps, fans will be nonstop comparing Gabriel and Sanders, watching for timing, decision-making, and arm accuracy. The Rams could dial up a variable starting plan, but Cleveland’s scripted sequence aims to maximize live reps for the rookies while giving Flacco a confident early run. The outcome will feed the quarterback storytelling all season and shape fantasy chatter as August fades into September.

The Browns gave Kenny Pickett a legitimate shot to win the starting job in training camp, but a hamstring injury in late July sidelined him and halted his push. Cleveland had traded for Pickett in March, signaling high hopes for him alongside Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and the organization clearly wanted a long look before decisions around the 53-man roster. With Joe Flacco named Week 1 starter, Pickett’s path to the job is effectively paused for now, raising questions about his roster status and the club’s long-term QB plan.

From a fantasy angle, the situation is a cautionary tale: Flacco brings steady veteran leadership for the opener, which dampens any immediate upside for Browns receivers and tight ends. Pickett’s value now hinges on health and whether he can rebound quickly enough to remain on the roster or force a later opportunity. DTR remains a dark horse contingency, and Cleveland’s quarterback dynamic could influence how the offense distributes targets, run plays, and play-action looks as the season unfolds.

As 53-man decisions loom, the Browns will weigh Pickett’s physical progress against the cost of keeping a developing prospect on the roster. A potential cut could free up a spot for a veteran linebacker or depth at receiver, while a longer-term plan might preserve Pickett as a keepable project with a possible future role if Flacco stalls or a starter injury occurs. Fantasy managers should monitor health updates, practice reps, and any whispers about further QB movement before the roster deadline.

The broader fantasy takeaway is that QB volatility at Cleveland can ripple through the passing game and backfield usage. If Flacco holds the job, look for conservative play-calling and safer floor options, while any spark from Pickett or DTR would hinge on opportunity and health. For now, teams to watch include the Browns offense and its surrounding playmakers as the QB drama develops into the next roster phase.