Daniel Oyefusi
BEREA, Ohio — Joe Flacco stated Tuesday that it's “undoubtedly particular” to be named the Cleveland Browns' beginning quarterback as he enters his 18th NFL season.
Flacco, who turned 40 in January, will be a part of a brief record of NFL passers who've began a recreation after their fortieth birthday, together with Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. Cleveland introduced on Monday that Flacco would open the season because the crew's beginning quarterback. He'll grow to be the 18th quarterback to start out an NFL recreation after his fortieth birthday.
“I do not know if I used to be very emotional about it,” Flacco stated, “however pay attention, you do not take with no consideration alternatives on this league. Particularly to get one at this level of my profession is certainly particular. However, like I stated, it is just about enterprise as typical and making an attempt to get higher.”
Flacco emerged because the winner of the Browns' quarterback competitors after a slew of accidents paved the way in which for him to take the overwhelming majority of first-team reps in coaching camp.
Kenny Pickett was restricted for a number of weeks by a hamstring harm. On Tuesday, he returned to 11-on-11 drills for the primary time since struggling his harm July 26. Third-round decide Dillon Gabriel was held out of the primary preseason recreation due to a hamstring harm. And fifth-round decide Shedeur Sanders has not acquired first-team reps; he was held out of the second preseason recreation due to an indirect harm. Sanders remained restricted in observe Tuesday.
Stefanski on Tuesday stated that Flacco “earned” the beginning position, regardless of the litany of accidents that impacted the competitors.
“Joe carried out very well each in observe, within the joint practices, within the assembly room, you identify it, within the walkthrough, simply what he is capable of convey to the soccer crew. He is earned that position.”
When Flacco traces up below middle to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7, it'll mark his first opening-week begin since 2022 as a member of the New York Jets.
“I really feel good as ever,” stated Flacco, who's again in Cleveland for a second stint after main the crew on a late-season run to the playoffs within the 2023 season. ” … My arm feels simply nearly as good as ever. My legs really feel actually good proper now to do the issues that I will must do, so I really feel able to go.”
Although the Browns' beginning quarterback state of affairs is now clear, Stefanski declined to call the backup to Flacco to open the season. Browns common supervisor Andrew Berry beforehand stated retaining all 4 quarterbacks on the 53-man roster is feasible.
“Not so involved concerning the depth chart, truthfully,” Stefanski stated. “Actually like our guys, they proceed to work arduous, all of them. As you make choices like this, you speak to the fellows and also you allow them to in in your thought course of. However all of them ought to contemplate themselves to prepare as a starter. That is how you need to deal with being a backup on this league.”
