The Cleveland Browns are set to kick off a new NFL season with a tough matchup against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Facing a challenging opener, head coach Kevin Stefanski was forced to make a key decision regarding who will start at quarterback.

While many expected the head coach to lean toward the youth and potential of Shedeur Sanders — or possibly Dillon Gabriel, if healthy — the decision has been made: veteran Joe Flacco will get the Week 1 start.

The news was confirmed via the Browns’ official X account (formerly Twitter): “Joe Cool leading the way. We’ve named Joe Flacco our starting quarterback.”

A packed QB room gave Stefanski several options to lead the first team as signal-caller, but in the end, it was Flacco’s experience and veteran presence that won out over the

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