Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco is off to a slow start in 2025, tossing just two touchdowns and four interceptions across his first three games. The veteran's leash is likely getting shorter with each lackluster showing as the Browns prepare to head on the road to face off against a hot Detroit Lions team in Week 4. Detroit does offer some hope for Flacco as their defense is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season. The Lions have been red-hot on offense this season and could jump out to an early lead, which would force the Browns to call Flacco's name often in the passing attack. That being said, his poor play thus far leaves him as a QB3 in fantasy heading into Week 4.
Sep 26, 2025 3:53 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco turned in another quiet performance in a 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. Flacco completed 21 of his 36 passes for 142 yards and one interception in the close upset win. The veteran quarterback has now thrown for just 631 yards and two touchdowns while tossing four interceptions across three contests for the Browns this season. Flacco will presumably remain the team's starter heading into a Week 4 road matchup against the Detroit Lions, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see rookie Dillon Gabriel under center for the team sooner rather than later.
Sep 22, 2025 4:41 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns considered starting rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel over veteran Joe Flacco against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, according to beat reporter Brad Stainbrook. The Browns reportedly appreciate the respect that Flacco has earned within the organization, but they're frustrated with his lack of mobility under center. According to Stainbrook, Flacco enters Week 3 as the starter, but he's on a short leash, and the Browns aren't opposed to playing Gabriel. It's worth noting that the next player in line is Gabriel and not fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders. This isn't necessarily a surprise, as Gabriel has higher draft capital and entered a game before Sanders did, but it's still worth noting. Fantasy managers in deeper superflex leagues may consider stashing Gabriel in case he is named the starter for Week 4.
Sep 21, 2025 10:24 AM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco will draw at least one more start under center for the Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. However, it sounds like the 40-year-old could be on a short leash. The Browns respect what Flacco brings to the roster and his veteran leadership. Although, Flacco isn't bringing great results under center at the moment. That being said, Dillon Gabriel could be making his NFL debut soon. The Browns believe Gabriel can bring a different environment to the football field than Flacco. Gabriel is able to move more with his feet and extend plays on the ground, which is something Flacco hasn't been able to do. If Flacco plays well this weekend, he could extend his time, but eventually Gabriel should take over at some point in 2025.
Sep 21, 2025 9:53 AM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco has struggled over the first two games of the 2025 season, completing 56 of his 90 pass attempts for 489 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He might have a tough time getting untracked against a red-hot Green Bay Packers defense at home in Week 3. The Packers have been dominant on defense thus far, allowing just the 23rd-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks through two games. Flacco has not played well and can't be trusted as anything more than a mid-range QB3 heading into Week 3.
Sep 19, 2025 7:47 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel saw his first game action in the NFL in their 41-17 Week 2 blowout at the Ravens. He completed all three of his passes for 19 yards and a touchdown. With the offense scuffling with Joe Flacco as the starter, discussions about a quarterback replacement are starting to pop up in Cleveland, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler says that Cleveland's situation "bears monitoring" in response to the question of which quarterback is most in danger of being benched. While Flacco is safe for now, he compared the situation to Jacoby Brissett with the Patriots last season. Drake Maye's first NFL start came at home against the Texans in Week 6 of last season, for reference. Gabriel has operated as the No. 2 quarterback all summer and has been praised for his mobility, quick release, and overall grasp of the offense. It will likely only be a matter of weeks before Gabriel slides in as the starter in Cleveland. He makes for an intriguing upside swing to stash in redraft superflex leagues and deeper formats.
Sep 18, 2025 12:17 AM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told the media that he's not considering a quarterback change following Sunday's Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Joe Flacco struggled in the loss, completing 25 of 45 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also took two sacks and lost a fumble. With Cleveland trailing by multiple possessions late in the game, Stefanski replaced Flacco with rookie Dillon Gabriel. In the first drive of his career, Gabriel went 3-for-3 with a passing touchdown, albeit against a defense that presumably wasn't playing at 100 percent due to the large lead. Flacco will remain the starting quarterback in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers, whose Micah Parsons-led defense has been playing quite well. Flacco can't be trusted in fantasy football next week.
Sep 14, 2025 7:49 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco will head on the road to take on his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, in Week 2. Flacco, who spent the first 11 years of his career with the Ravens, was busy in a Week 1 loss as he dropped back to pass 45 times in a one-point loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. While he only threw one touchdown last week, the Browns' pass-heavy approach to begin the season could lead to fantasy production for the veteran quarterback. Stopping opposing passing attacks has been a defensive liability for the Ravens over the past few years, giving Flacco a good shot at posting a productive game. That being said, he still settles in as a mid-range QB3 in fantasy with no teams on bye in Week 2.
Sep 12, 2025 9:11 PM EST
Cleveland Browns veteran quarterback Joe Flacco nearly pulled off the upset of the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday. In the 17-16 loss, Flacco went 31-for-45 for 290 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked twice for a loss of 12 yards and carried the ball twice for just six yards. The 40-year-old is really only useable in two-QB superflex leagues in fantasy, but the Browns offense could continue to air it out with rookie second-round running back Quinshon Judkins away from the team after an offseason legal matter that delayed his signing until just this past weekend. Flacco's lone touchdown toss of the game went to receiver Cedric Tillman in the third quarter. His options are limited, and the interceptions won't be going away.
Sep 8, 2025 12:18 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco will take on the Cincinnati Bengals at home to kick off the 2025 season. The Bengals struggled against the pass last season as they allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. There isn't much expectation for the Cincinnati defense to be improved heading into the upcoming 2025 campaign, giving the veteran signal-caller a plus matchup to kick off the year. That being said, Flacco did not play well in limited starts with the Indianapolis Colts last year, and it is unclear just how much the 40-year-old has left in the tank. Flacco checks in as Rotoballer's QB30 heading into Week 1 and is not a recommended starter outside of deep two-quarterback formats.
Sep 5, 2025 8:07 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco completed nine of his 10 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown in a 19-17 preseason win over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. Flacco got the start and played into the second quarter, finding tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for a 15-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter. Making his only appearance of the preseason, Flacco has already been named the Browns' starting quarterback heading into Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He settles in as a high-end QB3 in fantasy heading into drafts as the Cleveland offense is not expected to be very explosive this season.
Aug 24, 2025 7:04 AM EST
Albert Breer of SI believes Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco will remain the starting signal-caller as long as the team remains competitive. The Browns could theoretically keep four quarterbacks on the roster, with Kenny Pickett (hamstring), Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders behind Flacco. There's still a chance Pickett could be traded away. However, with Sanders and Gabriel both still a work in progress, Flacco might stay atop the depth chart as long as the Browns remain in the playoff conversation. The 40-year-old has thrown for 45,697 yards, 257 touchdowns, and 162 interceptions in 196 regular-season contests throughout his career. While that's a lot of mileage, Breer noted that Flacco still has "juice in his arm." Granted, that won't make him a practical option in single quarterback fantasy setups, although he is worth rostering in deep Superflex formats as long as he remains under center.
Aug 22, 2025 9:59 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that quarterback Joe Flacco will make the start in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams, with the starters expected to go around 25 to 30 plays. Rookie Dillon Gabriel will enter the game after Flacco, followed by rookie fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders third. Kenny Pickett (hamstring) continues to deal with a hamstring injury that he suffered in late July, but he did return to some practice drills this week. The order for this weekend's game suggests that Gabriel remains ahead of Sanders on the team's QB depth chart, but the Browns could keep all four signal-callers on the active 53-man roster heading into Week 1 against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. If Pickett is healthy for the start of the regular season, he's expected to be the backup to Flacco.
Aug 21, 2025 6:10 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns are naming veteran Joe Flacco as their Week 1 starting quarterback against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. This doesn't come as much of a surprise, as this was always expected to be the case, especially after Kenny Pickett suffered a hamstring injury early in training camp. The 40-year-old veteran has been taking most of the first-team reps in practices this summer, although he has not played in either of the team's two preseason games with the rest of the Browns' QB room banged up. Flacco led the Browns to the playoffs two seasons ago, but he's going to be on a short leash in 2025 and will most likely continue to put the football in harm's way often down the field. The Bengals defense was a great matchup last year, so Flacco could have some sleeper appeal in DFS in Week 1 of the season.
Aug 18, 2025 1:26 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco has officially been ruled out for the team's second preseason contest on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers, according to Browns beat writer Noah Monroe. Flacco and Tyler Huntley are the team's only healthy QBs at the moment, with rookies Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) and Shedeur Sanders (oblique) and Kenny Pickett (hamstring) nursing injuries. Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is on the PUP list and isn't expected to play all year. The 40-year-old Flacco is healthy, and the Browns want to keep it that way, especially since he's fully expected to be named the Week 1 starter in time. Gabriel might make the start on Saturday, but either way, Huntley should play the majority of the game against Carolina. Flacco will have limited weapons in his second stint in Cleveland and is a low-end QB2, at best, in superflex fantasy leagues.
Aug 15, 2025 3:19 PM EST
ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi reports that Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco is unlikely to play in the team's second preseason game this Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns want to keep the veteran out, even though both rookie Shedeur Sanders (oblique) and Kenny Pickett (hamstring) might not play. Although nothing official has been announced, rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) could make his NFL debut and see extensive run this weekend for the Browns. Flacco was scheduled to take the majority of first-team reps at training camp practice on Wednesday, and he remain the overwhelming favorite to be named the Week 1 starter, especially with Pickett missing over a week of team drills due to a hamstring injury. The 40-year-old gunslinger could have some decent games, but he'll also be injury-prone and on a short leash. Fantasy managers would be better off avoiding the Browns' QB situation.
Aug 13, 2025 6:31 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco took all of the first-team reps during the team's 11-on-11 session on Monday, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. After rookie Shedeur Sanders generated plenty of buzz in his solid preseason debut against the Panthers, it was still the veteran signal caller who dominated reps, which limited Sanders and Dillon Gabriel to alternating reps with the second and third teams. It is almost assuredly Flacco's job to lose at this stage in training camp, and that is a positive for Cleveland's pass catchers. There should be plenty of pass volume as the Browns are expected to trail in games a good amount of the time. Flacco doesn't scramble and does well enough in avoiding sacks to support a functional pass-catching group.
Aug 12, 2025 12:54 AM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco will not play in the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Carolina Panthers, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Injured QBs Kenny Pickett (hamstring) and Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) also will not play, leaving fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders to get the start despite the fact that he hasn't taken a single rep with the first-team offense during training camp. Tyler Huntley, who was signed on Tuesday, will back up Sanders on Friday night. The 40-year-old Flacco is a strong favorite to win the QB competition this summer, especially since Pickett hasn't been able to participate in team drills of late. Flacco made some noise in 2023 and helped lead the Browns to the playoffs, but the veteran gunslinger will have a short leash as the starter and will have little fantasy upside as a low-end QB2.
Aug 5, 2025 6:22 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) is doing everything he can to get back to full speed but also acknowledged he's losing ground in the QB competition with veteran Joe Flacco, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Flacco's two best throwing days at training camp have been on Friday and Saturday, and he's "gone from presumed favorite to strong favorite." There's still a lot to be settled with Flacco and Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, but as things currently stand, it would be a surprise if Flacco wasn't starting under center in Week 1. Neither Gabriel nor Sanders never had a realistic shot to win the QB competition this summer. For fantasy purposes, nobody should be putting their faith in the 40-year-old Flacco in 2025, especially since he'll likely be on a short leash.
Aug 3, 2025 1:35 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) was back at training camp practice on Friday, but The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Dan Labbe reports that veteran Joe Flacco saw most of the first-team work. Pickett went through individual drills but was a spectator when the team broke off for team work. The 40-year-old Flacco is expected to win the starting QB duties heading into the 2025 season, but the QB competition is far from settled between Flacco and Pickett. Once Pickett is further from his hamstring injury, we'd expect him to continue rotating with Flacco with the first-team offense. Meanwhile, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will continue to work as backups as they try to prove to the front office and coaching staff that they belong in the team's plans in the future. Cleveland's QB situation should be ignored by fantasy managers.
Aug 1, 2025 5:12 PM EST
Copyright 2025 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
