- Joe Flacco will start for the Browns to open the 2025 season: Cleveland announced the expected decision Monday. The 40-year-old Flacco had been competing with Kenny Pickett and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
- Veteran cornerback Xavien Howard signs with the Colts: Howard last played in 2023 with the Miami Dolphins. He excelled for much of his career in Miami before struggling in his final two seasons.
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Browns name Joe Flacco as starting QB for Week 1
The Cleveland Browns announced that veteran Joe Flacco will be the team’s starting quarterback in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Joe Cool leading the way 🫡
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 18, 2025
We've named Joe Flacco our starting quarterback.
Flacco was the heavy favorite to earn the starting job in a crowded quarterback room that included Kenny Pickett and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Sanders was the more impressive rookie, earning an 82.1 PFF overall grade in his lone game against Carolina, whereas Gabriel flashed but struggled to a 52.4 mark against Philadelphia.
The 40-year-old Flacco is starting in Week 1 for the first time since 2022, when he was a member of the New York Jets. He spent 2024 with the Indianapolis Colts, posting a 71.6 PFF overall grade across his eight appearances.
Free-agent EDGE Matthew Judon scheduled to meet with the Dolphins
Free-agent edge defender Matthew Judon is scheduled to meet with the Dolphins on Monday, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Matthew Judon’s visit with the #Dolphins begins today, and the expectation is that both sides are motivated to reach a deal. https://t.co/JsAp4XH2AF
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 18, 2025
Schultz added that the Dolphins and Judon are “motivated to reach a deal.” The four-time Pro Bowler struggled in his first season with the Falcons following biceps surgery in 2023, finishing the year with a 43.0 PFF overall grade to rank 118th out of 119 qualifying edge defenders.
On paper, the Dolphins have depth at the edge position in Chop Robinson, Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. 2024 undrafted free agent Grayson Murphy is also having a strong preseason, logging a 73.3 PFF overall grade across 96 snaps, including an 85.4 PFF pass-rush grade.
Free-agent CB Xavien Howard signs with the Colts
Free agent cornerback Xavien Howard signed with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, according to his agent, David Canter.
Reunited and it feels so good. Congratulations to @aurasportsgroup client @Iamxavienhoward on signing with @Colts pic.twitter.com/xDg9wAPaGE
— David Canter (@davidcanter) August 18, 2025
Howard’s one-year deal is worth up to $5 million. His last action came with the Dolphins in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens back in 2023. Howard spent the first eight years of his career with Miami, the team the Colts will host in their season opener on Sept. 7.
Howard was an All-Pro cornerback in his prime but struggled in his most recent seasons, earning PFF coverage grades of 56.0 in 2022 and 51.9 in 2023. The Colts’ secondary has been hit with some injuries in camp, most notably third-round rookie Justin Walley's torn ACL in the preseason opener.
Packers QB Jordan Love (thumb) returns to practice Monday
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love returned to practice Monday.
Jordan Love has returned to practice pic.twitter.com/bzza6HXfTI
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 18, 2025
Love is back on the field less than one week after undergoing surgery to correct a ligament issue in his non-throwing hand. With today’s news, there is no concern that he will miss the Packers’ season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 7.
Love is looking to bounce back from an up-and-down 2024 season in which he ranked 20th out of 42 qualifying quarterbacks in PFF overall grade (75.8). His 83.6 mark in 2023 placed him among the top 12 quarterbacks in the league, and he racked up the fifth-most 34 big-time throws that season.
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