The Cleveland Browns‘ quarterback pecking order may have changed, but Joe Flacco’s relationship with his peers has not.
The recently announced Browns QB1 shared his perspective on coach Kevin Stefanski naming him the starting quarterback and how it was handled Tuesday.
Flacco was the frontrunner to win the Browns starting-QB job, since he helped guide Cleveland to the playoffs less than two years ago. But Stefanski opened the role to him, Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, since Deshaun Watson is slated to miss the entire year with an Achilles tendon injury.
Flacco, 40, has not started double-digit games in a single season since 2017, and that trend is likely to continue this year, since either Gabriel or Sanders is expected to take over the Browns’ starting QB spot, as soon as Week 7.
What Did Joe Flacco Say About His Relationship With Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett?
That Flacco was named the starting QB was less of a surprise and more of a formality, since he was the lone player among the four-headed competition able to survive the preseason war of attrition.
Pickett and Gabriel (hamstring) and Sanders (oblique) are injured, which is why Tyler Huntley has taken a surprising number of reps in exhibition games.
Still, Flacco commended Stefanski for his honesty and forthrightness about how the announcement was made. He also complimented Pickett, Sanders and Gabriel for how they handled the news.
“Honesty is the main thing,” Flacco said. “Looking someone in the eye and having a conversation with them is the main thing. It doesn’t mean you’re going to be happy with whatever is going on, but I think [honesty] is all that any of us can ask for.
“The guys in that room are extremely professional, and we all know how to handle ourselves and we’re friendly so it is what it is.”
Though scuttlebutt is reigning amid the unprecedented four-quarterback competition, since Gabriel and Sanders are rare rookie QB teammates and Pickett trade rumors have swirled of late, Flacco noted the maturity set forth by each player.
“I mean, there can be some awkwardness, but at the end of the day we’re all adults,” Flacco said. “We just want to be honest with each other, and we want people to be honest with us. We’ve all been through situations like this. You feel good about whatever [the outcome] is.”
What Else Did Joe Flacco Say?
Flacco addressed the Cleveland press for more than 15 minutes after being named the starting QB. He stated his renewed appreciation since he will start Week 1 for the first time since the 2019 season with the Denver Broncos.
“You don’t take for granted opportunities in this league,” Flacco said. “Especially to get [a starting job] at this point in my career is really special.”
Despite his advancing age, and the fact he was retired at this time in 2023, Flacco said he feels good and ready to lead the Browns into a new season.
“I feel as good as I ever have,” Flacco said. “I really do feel great. My arm feels just as good as ever. My legs feel really good right now. … I feel ready to go.”
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