Veteran Quarterback Joe Flacco Challenges Shedeur Sanders Over Helmet Visor Choice: 'You Look Like an Idiot'

The 2026 NFL season is rapidly approaching, and it is set to feature the continued presence of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, marking another year in his extensive professional career.

At 41 years old, Flacco is currently part of the Cincinnati Bengals organization, having joined them after a midseason trade in 2025. Prior to that, he spent training camp and the initial phase of the season with the Cleveland Browns. The quarterback room in Cleveland during that period was notably dynamic and often discussed within the league.

The Browns' quarterback lineup included Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and two promising rookies, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco's role on the team was clearly defined: to guide and support the younger players in their development as they acclimated to the demands of playing quarterback at the professional level.

It was likely that both Sanders and Gabriel anticipated receiving guidance from Flacco on crucial aspects of the game, such as interpreting defensive schemes, identifying blitzes and coverages, mastering complex playbooks, or optimizing recovery strategies. However, it seems improbable that Sanders expected a significant piece of advice from Flacco to revolve around the topic of helmet visors.

Flacco's Strong Stance on Helmet Visors

In a recent installment of the Netflix series "Quarterback," Flacco voiced strong disapproval of Sanders' decision to wear a helmet visor during practice. Initially, Sanders and Gabriel defended the accessory, asserting its practicality as an "eye shield."

Flacco, however, countered their arguments directly.

"Yeah, but if you wear a visor, it's for looks," Flacco stated. "You think you look sweet. It's that era. I don't want my kids to wear visors either. They all want visors. I'm like, 'Guys, they're just annoying. They're gonna fog up.'"

He continued, expressing his frustration emphatically: "They f***** suck, dude. It's all about look. When I was a kid I wanted a visor too, and then I'm like, 'The visors suck. They don't make sense.'"

The veteran quarterback did not stop there, further elaborating on his perspective regarding quarterbacks and visors.

"I would let them wear it, but I would tell them, 'You're a quarterback, bro, you're f***** wearing a visor? You look like a f***** idiot,'" Flacco added. "If you're a quarterback, you can tell (when) you're trying to look too sweet."

Sanders' Persistence and Upcoming Schedule

Despite Flacco's candid remarks, Sanders appears to have maintained his preference for the accessory. He was observed wearing a visor during minicamp sessions leading up to the current season, though this time it featured a clearer finish compared to the reflective, mirror-like version he used last season.

The Cleveland Browns, with Sanders on their roster, are scheduled to commence their preseason on August 15, facing the Bears. Their regular season will begin on September 13 with an away game against the Jaguars. Meanwhile, Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals will kick off their preseason against the Lions, followed by a regular season opener at home against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also on September 13.

One aspect remains certain: Joe Flacco will not be sporting a visor in any of his upcoming games.