BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns’ coaching team, led by Kevin Stefanski, are fully aware of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco’s capabilities. This understanding is the reason that other quarterbacks like Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders have been receiving the majority of the snaps during this week’s minicamp.
While Flacco, at 40, mentioned he wouldn’t mind getting a few more reps, he feels satisfied with his performance in the offseason training with the Browns. Flacco shared his thoughts, saying that his main goal has been to regain his rhythm, execute clean passes, and ensure he stays sharp with his decision-making as the quarterback.
“For me, it’s about going out there, regaining the feel, and making sure I deliver the ball effectively while staying sharp with my reads,” Flacco stated. “Despite not having a vast number of reps, when I have been on the field, I’ve felt comfortable and capable, and I believe the rest will follow.”
Flacco joined the Browns on a one-year contract in April, with the expectation of vying for the starting quarterback position alongside Pickett and a rookie. Gabriel was drafted by the Browns in the third round, and in a surprise move, the team traded up in the fifth round to pick Sanders.
Ever since acquiring Sanders, questions have been directed to Stefanski about how he plans to allocate playing time among his four quarterbacks. Although Stefanski has urged observers not to dwell too much on offseason activities, his choices will be under intense scrutiny when training camp begins late in July.
Flacco, who is entering his 18th year in the NFL, expressed confidence in Stefanski’s approach, stating, “I don’t know the exact plan, but I have full trust in Kevin’s strategy for all of us. My role is to believe in that plan and perform my best.”
Despite the limited reps in practice, Flacco mentioned enjoying his time working alongside Dillon and Sanders, saying with a smile, “I’ve had fun during my time here this spring.”
As the Browns prepare for their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7, Flacco remains the presumptive front-runner for the starting quarterback role. Last year, he led the team to a playoff appearance with an impressive 4-1 starter record, averaging over 300 passing yards per game, a feat the Browns have only achieved three times since 1999.
However, not re-signing Flacco after that successful playoff stint proved costly for the Browns, who ended their next season with a frustrating 3-14 record. With a high-profile injury to starter Deshaun Watson affecting the team’s future, as he suffered an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him last season and will miss this season after a re-injury in January, Flacco is now a key figure in the Browns’ plans for the near future.
The Browns will be concluding their offseason program early next week. Reflecting on the past weeks, Flacco remarked with enthusiasm about his experiences, stating, “Each time I’m out on the field, I remind myself that this is where I want to be. Being able to execute plays and be part of the action reassures me that we are well-prepared and ready to compete.”