Cleveland Browns: Joe Flacco Named Week 1 Starter
Joe Flacco will open Week 1 as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback, the team announced Monday, putting him in position to also come to M&T Bank Stadium as the starter in Week 2 for Baltimore's home opener.
As the healthiest quarterback at Browns camp, the 40-year-old former Ravens quarterback took the majority of first-team reps in recent practices and separated himself from the large group in Cleveland's quarterback room.
Kenny Pickett suffered a hamstring injury early in training camp and hasn't taken 11-on-11 reps since July 26. Third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel suffered hamstring tightness earlier in camp. Fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders suffered an oblique injury last week and did not play in Saturday's preseason victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
That leaves Flacco, who is entering his 18th season, as the starting quarterback versus the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. It remains to be seen how the depth chart behind Flacco will shake out among a group that also includes rookie former Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley.
Flacco led the Browns to the playoffs in 2023 during his first stint with them, starting the final five games of the regular season during Cleveland's run to a wild-card berth. He spent last year with the Indianapolis Colts, starting six games before re-signing with the Browns during the offseason.
Flacco's most heralded run was with the Ravens, where he spent his first 11 NFL seasons (2008-18). He played lights out in Baltimore's 2012 playoff run that culminated with a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. Flacco threw 11 touchdown passes and no interceptions in four playoff games that season and was named Super Bowl MVP.
The last time Flacco started a game in Baltimore was on Nov. 4, 2018, when the Ravens lost to the Steelers, 23-18, and Flacco suffered a hip injury that opened the door for Lamar Jackson to take over as the Ravens' starter.
Cincinnati Bengals: Trade Offers for Trey Hendrickson Reportedly Being Considered
The Bengals are fielding trade offers for four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson, according to multiple reports.
"No trade is imminent. They're not going to give him away," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said on "Good Morning Football". "But this is a rarity – the NFL's reigning sack leader is available for the right price."
Contract talks between Hendrickson and the Bengals have been at an impasse for months. Pelissero said the Bengals and Hendrickson have agreed on the money and contract years for a potential extension. However, the amount of guaranteed money remains a stumbling block.
"The Bengals to this point have been unwilling to do what they did for Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, which is break their structure and give guarantees beyond the 2025 season," Pelissero said.
In return for Hendrickson, the Bengals would reportedly want a defensive player who could help ease the loss of Hendrickson, along with a 2026 draft pick. The 30-year-old Hendrickson has produced 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons and led the league in 2024.
If the Bengals trade Hendrickson, he would become just the second player in NFL history to be traded the year after leading the league in sacks. Hall of Famer Jared Allen was traded by the Kansas City Chiefs to the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 after leading the league with 15.5 sacks in 2007.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Roman Wilson Emerging As Potential No. 2 Receiver
Roman Wilson is making a strong case in the competition to be Pittsburgh's No. 2 receiver opposite DK Metcalf.
The Steelers didn't generate much offense during a 17-14 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, but Wilson led them with 72 receiving yards.
A third-round pick in 2024, Wilson has established chemistry with Aaron Rodgers during training camp and appears to have won a place in the Steelers' wide receiver rotation. Robert Woods and Calvin Austin III are also competing for reps, but Wilson has emerged after an injury-plagued rookie season.
"Feel good about the overall trajectory of [Wilson]," Head Coach Mike Tomlin said, via Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We have another game in a couple more weeks, and that time is critical for a young guy. He has to keep his foot on the gas and keep working."
The Steelers are also set to host veteran wide receiver Gabe Davis for a visit Monday for the second time this offseason, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
