In the 2023 regular season, the Browns were hit with several injuries at QB. Their top three QBs on the depth chart got hurt and the team had to make a call. Veteran Joe Flacco played in five games for the Jets last season. However, he was on his couch to start 2023. Flacco was not signed with anyone and nobody was calling.
That was until Cleveland needed help badly and they decided to give Flacco a chance. The 39-year-old made the most of his opportunity with the Browns and has added at least another season to his career. Cleveland would love to retain Flacco this offseason but there will undoubtedly be other teams with interest. Will the Browns be able to resign the one-time Super Bowl Champion this offseason
Joe Flacco is going to be an intriguing name to watch once free agency begins in mid-March
Joe Flacco wants to continue playing in the #NFL next season:
“I want there to be more, so we’ll see.”
Which team should sign him pic.twitter.com/cCpYt8jYTq
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 9, 2024
At this stage in his career, Joe Flacco wants to be playing football. He doesn’t want to be sitting on the bench buried in a depth chart waiting for his chance. The 39-year-old doesn’t have that kind of time left. NFL players have to retire at some point and that could have been Flacco this offseason if he hadn’t gotten a call from the Browns. It was the perfect fit for Falcco and he went 4-1 in five games as their starting QB. That led to a playoff berth for Cleveland but they lost to the Texans in the wildcard round.
The Browns leaned on Joe Flacco and he delivered for the Browns late in the season. In five starts, he was averaging (323.2) passing yards per game. Additionally, he threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns. That was enough for the 39-year-old to win Comeback Player of the Year in 2023. A true honor for Flacco who was on his couch to begin the season. Just goes to show that you never know when an opportunity will come knocking.
An ELITE comeback. @JoeFlacco is the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year. #NFLHonors@gillette @Headshoulders @oldspice @tide pic.twitter.com/Zhik5Pdboj
— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2024
Presumably, Deshaun Watson would be the starting QB for the Browns next season. They have a massive amount of money invested in the Pro Bowl QB. If Flacco were to resign with Cleveland, that would make him the backup at best. Flacco likely wants to play where he can at least have the opportunity to start in 2024. Could he go to another division rival like the Steelers and compete with Kenny Pickett There has been some speculation about that happening. However, it’s too soon to tell what Flacco plans on doing. He’ll take the offseason to meet with teams and see what is best for him.