The Cleveland Browns have named five team captains for the upcoming season, with quarterback Joe Flacco earning a captaincy despite his relatively brief time in Northeast Ohio.
Flacco is joined by offensive guard Joel Bitonio, defensive end Myles Garrett, cornerback Denzel Ward, and punter Corey Bojorquez as team captains. All of the veterans—Bitonio, Garrett, and Ward—are repeat captains, while Bojorquez steps into the role of special teams captain after Charley Hughlett parted ways with the team this offseason due to injuries.
Flacco’s selection highlights the lasting impact of his 2023 run, which earned him NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors and a 5-1 stretch in which he started for the Browns, helping to clinch a wild-card berth. He later became the Browns’ starting quarterback after a quarterback competition that faltered because of injuries to the other contenders.
Bojorquez’s rise to special teams captain marks a shift from the previous long snapper leadership and underscores the importance the Browns place on all phases of the game, even as the squad has shifted personnel in other areas.
What this signals for the team
– Veteran leadership across offense, defense, and special teams can help steady a young roster and set a consistent tone.
– Flacco’s presence as a captain emphasizes the value the Browns place on experience and resilience at the quarterback position and in the locker room.
– The mix of repeat captains and a new special-teams captain suggests a balance between continuity and fresh leadership in 2025.
Overall, the captains provide a clear message: Cleveland intends to lean on seasoned voices to guide a roster hopeful for sustained success in the coming season. The Browns head into 2025 with experienced leadership at the top of their lineup, aiming to translate that leadership into on-field performance.