Overview

• Cleveland confirmed on Monday that Joe Flacco will start the Sept. 7 opener against the Bengals after taking most first‑team reps in camp.
• Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Flacco earned the job rather than winning by default, citing strong work in practices and joint sessions.
• Flacco acknowledged his status could change during the season, telling reporters it is not his decision whether he remains QB1.
• Kenny Pickett returned to limited 11‑on‑11 work after a hamstring issue, Shedeur Sanders remains limited by an oblique strain, and Dillon Gabriel has dealt with a hamstring while posting mixed preseason results.
• GM Andrew Berry has floated keeping four quarterbacks on the 53‑man roster as cutdown nears, with reports placing the current order as Flacco, Pickett, Gabriel, then Sanders against a tough early schedule.