What's Happening?
The Cleveland Browns have announced that veteran quarterback Joe Flacco will start in the team's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. This decision comes as the Browns prepare for the upcoming NFL regular season. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Flacco will make his first appearance of the 2025 preseason in this game, which is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET in Cleveland. The game will be broadcast nationally on the NFL Network and available for streaming via NFL+ and Fubo. Alongside Flacco, rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are expected to be active. Sanders, who missed the second preseason game due to an oblique injury, is anticipated to play barring any setbacks.
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Why It's Important?
The decision to start Joe Flacco highlights the Browns' strategy to rely on veteran experience as they head into the regular season. Flacco's performance in the preseason finale will be crucial in setting the tone for the team's offensive strategy. The inclusion of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders as active players suggests that the Browns are also focused on developing young talent for future seasons. This game serves as a critical evaluation point for the coaching staff to assess the readiness and potential of their quarterback lineup. The outcome could influence roster decisions and game strategies as the regular season approaches.
What's Next?
Following the preseason finale, the Browns will finalize their roster and game plan for the regular season opener. Joe Flacco's performance will be closely scrutinized to determine his effectiveness as the starting quarterback. The coaching staff will also monitor the progress of rookies Gabriel and Sanders, particularly Sanders' recovery from his oblique injury. The team's decisions in the coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping their competitive edge in the NFL season.
