Cleveland Browns Sign Joe Flacco: What It Means for the 2025 NFL Draft
As the 2025 NFL draft looms just around the corner, the Cleveland Browns have made a significant move that could shape their draft strategy. The long-anticipated quarterback signing has finally arrived, and it’s none other than Joe Flacco. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns and Flacco have agreed on a one-year, $4 million deal, which could escalate to $13 million with incentives. This move marks Flacco’s return to Cleveland, where he previously won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023 and played a pivotal role in leading the Browns to the playoffs amidst a season of quarterback chaos.
Flacco’s signing could provide insight into the Browns’ plans for the top of the draft. With the No. 2 pick, it’s becoming increasingly plausible that the team might bypass selecting a quarterback. Schefter reported earlier this week that the Browns are leaning towards taking Colorado’s two-way star, Travis Hunter, with their top pick.
Throughout the offseason, the Browns have remained tight-lipped about their plans to stabilize the quarterback position, especially after a tumultuous 2024 season where four different players attempted a pass. Deshaun Watson, who is expected to miss most of 2025 due to an Achilles injury, posted the lowest Total QBR in the NFL before his injury in October. Jameis Winston, who left as a free agent this offseason, brought some life to the offense but was benched after throwing eight interceptions in just three games. Dorian Thompson-Robinson also struggled, throwing zero touchdowns and three interceptions in two games before being replaced by Bailey Zappe, the 40th quarterback to start for the franchise since 1999, in the season finale.
In January, Cleveland’s general manager, Andrew Berry, stated during his end-of-season news conference that the quarterback room would “look different next year.” However, the team had not made significant moves to address the position until now. Cleveland traded for Kenny Pickett in the first week of free agency, sending the Philadelphia Eagles a fifth-round pick and Thompson-Robinson. The team also hosted Russell Wilson on a visit, but he signed with the New York Giants in March. A source familiar with the team’s free agent plans mentioned that the Browns also inquired about other veteran quarterbacks, including Daniel Jones, who ultimately signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
At the league’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam revealed that Flacco, now 40, remained an option for the team. He emphasized the importance of the quarterback position but stated that the team would not force a selection with the second pick.
- The Tennessee Titans are likely to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick. Schefter reported that the Titans have been increasingly impressed with Ward after his Pro Day.
- Travis Hunter has become the betting favorite to be the Browns’ first selection, with ESPN’s Draft Predictor giving him more than a 40% chance to be Cleveland’s pick.
- Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter has more than a 30% chance to be the selection, while Hunter’s teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, has an 11% chance to be the pick.
“It would be great if we could get ‘the quarterback,’ but we’re not going to force it,” Haslam said. “We’re going to be patient and we’re going to try to accumulate as many really good football players as we can.”
This patient approach could allow Cleveland to secure arguably the best prospect in the draft in Hunter and use their second pick at No. 33 to select a developmental quarterback. In addition to meeting with Ward and Sanders, who are expected to be first-round picks, the Browns also hosted Mississippi QB Jaxson Dart, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and Louisville’s Tyler Shough on top 30 visits this week.
There’s a possibility that all three could be available at pick No. 33. With Flacco back in the mix, the Browns have a veteran quarterback on the roster who can effectively run the offense. This scenario would be ideal for an organization that understands it might not get a rookie quarterback ready to start from Day 1 but wants to remain competitive and bounce back from their 3-14 finish last season. Head coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned at league meetings that expectations for a rookie quarterback starting would vary depending on the player.
Flacco’s stint with the Colts last season didn’t match his previous success in Cleveland. Indianapolis went 2-4 with Flacco as the starter, and he finished with 1,761 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. However, with the Browns, who are expected to return to a scheme similar to what Stefanski ran in his first four seasons, Flacco provides Cleveland with a quarterback familiar with the offense and who is well-liked by fans and teammates alike.
Flacco threw for over 300 yards in four consecutive wins, with the Browns going 4-1 in his five regular-season starts, before their run ended in a loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.
At the league’s meeting, Berry wouldn’t specify whether another quarterback addition would come before or after the draft but revealed that the position room would “skew young.” The team views Pickett, who turns 26 in June, as a young player with potential for growth. Pickett, the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 draft, has a 15-10 record as a starter, and the Browns have stated that he will have the opportunity to compete for the starting job.
He’ll seemingly compete with Flacco, who could mentor an inexperienced quarterback room for a year. The next question to be answered is not if the Browns will take a quarterback in the draft, but when.
Originally Written by: Daniel Oyefusi
