Joe Flacco Returns to Cleveland: A Veteran’s Journey Continues
In a move that has stirred excitement and curiosity among NFL fans, the Cleveland Browns have signed veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to a one-year, $4 million contract. This agreement, confirmed by his agent Joe Linta to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, marks Flacco’s return to Cleveland, where he previously won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023.
The contract, which could be worth up to $13 million with incentives, was announced by the Browns on Friday, though they did not disclose the specific terms. Flacco’s decision to return to Cleveland comes after considering offers from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings. Ultimately, he chose to spend his 18th NFL season with the Browns, a decision that co-owner Jimmy Haslam had hinted at during the NFL’s annual meeting.
Flacco’s return adds depth to a quarterback room that includes Deshaun Watson, who is currently rehabbing from a re-torn right Achilles tendon and may miss most or all of the 2025 season. Additionally, Kenny Pickett, who was traded to Cleveland, has been told he will have a chance to compete for the starting quarterback position.
The Browns have been actively seeking quarterback options this offseason, having used four different passers in 2024. They decided not to re-sign Jameis Winston, last year’s backup, and traded for Pickett, sending the Philadelphia Eagles a fifth-round pick and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
With the second overall pick in the 2025 draft, Cleveland has been evaluating several top quarterback prospects, including Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, and Tyler Shough. However, Haslam has stated that the team will not force a quarterback selection with their first pick.
Flacco’s journey back to the NFL was unexpected by some, as he was not seriously considered by teams for most of the 2023 season. However, following Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury, the Browns signed Flacco, who delivered an impressive five-game stretch. He threw for over 300 yards in four consecutive wins, leading the Browns to a 4-1 record in his five regular-season starts before their run ended in a wild-card loss to the Houston Texans.
This performance positioned Flacco as a viable backup option in 2024, leading to his signing with the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year, $4.5 million contract as a veteran backup to Anthony Richardson. Flacco’s 2024 season was a mix of highs and lows, including a standout 359-yard performance in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. His experience and the struggles of Richardson led to Flacco being named the starter in Week 9.
Despite being in the AFC playoff race, Flacco’s tenure as a starter was marred by four interceptions in losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills, resulting in his benching and Richardson’s return as the starter. The Colts finished 2-4 with Flacco as a starter, and he ended the season with 1,761 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
Flacco, drafted in the first round of the 2008 draft by the Baltimore Ravens, has accumulated 45,697 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 162 interceptions over 17 seasons. He was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII, leading the Ravens to victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
- Flacco is one of three quarterbacks with a winning record for the Browns since their return, alongside Brian Hoyer (10-6) and Case Keenum (2-0).
ESPN’s Stephen Holder contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
