Joe Flacco drops brutal dig at Shedeur Sanders in awkward moment
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 16: Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco 15 and Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 have a discussion during the preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles on August 16th, 2025 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA AUG 16 Preseason Browns at Eagles EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon250816117
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 16: Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco 15 and Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 have a discussion during the preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles on August 16th, 2025 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA AUG 16 Preseason Browns at Eagles EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon250816117
Joe Flacco did not hold back when he spotted Shedeur Sanders wearing a mirrored visor during the Cleveland Browns' 2025 training camp.
The moment appears in season 3 of Netflix's Quarterback, with Flacco joking about the rookie quarterback's choice of headgear, while Dillon Gabriel was also part of the conversation. The discussion revolved around how Flacco would never allow his sons to wear a mirrored visor.
"I'll let them wear it, but I'll tell them, you're a quarterback, bro, and you're wearing a visor? You look like a f*****' idiot," Flacco said on Episode 2, according to Sports Illustrated.
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 stands on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104100
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders 12 stands on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104100
Sanders was standing next to him, flaunting his mirrored visor, and defended his choice of accessories.
“I get it, I get it,” Flacco laughed as seen in episode 2, as reported by Sports Illustrated. “Let's get a win, and maybe I’ll put a visor on.”
The scene came during Episode 2 of Quarterback, which focuses on Flacco's difficult start to the 2025 season with Cleveland. The veteran quarterback had joined the Browns because they were the only team offering him a chance to start.
Cleveland selected Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Flacco later started the first four games of the season. Cleveland picked up its first win against the Green Bay Packers in week 3. He threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions in week 4.
Soon after, head coach Kevin Stefanski told Flacco that Gabriel would start the following game against the Minnesota Vikings in London.
"You have to own the fact that you're treated as the main reason things aren't going well, and you have to deal with it," Flacco added.
Cleveland eventually traded Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals before Week 6 after Jake Browning struggled in three starts following Joe Burrow's injury.
From there, Flacco and Sanders' Browns stories began to look very different.
What happened to Joe Flacco and Shedeur Sanders after their Browns exchange?
Flacco was benched by the Browns and later traded to the Cincinnati Bengals after Joe Burrow underwent surgery for a Grade 3 turf toe injury.
With Burrow out, Flacco went 1-5 for Cincinnati and still had a few big moments throwing to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
“He was definitely somebody I leaned on for wisdom, and I feel he helped me a lot,” Sanders reacted to Flacco's trade in an interview with Fox 8's analyst John Sabol. “He helped me a lot in my time being here in Cleveland and his time being here in Cleveland. Everybody has their own destinies and have their own plans…I’m just happy for him.”
Meanwhile, Sanders took over as Cleveland's starter for the final seven games of the season. Deion Sanders' son threw for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns, helping the Browns win three games.
Sanders is now competing with Deshaun Watson for the starting job in 2026. Meanwhile, Watson is trying to rebuild his reputation after not taking a snap since 2024.
What do you make of Joe Flacco's blunt comments about Shedeur Sanders? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Written by
Debanjali Rakshit
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar