Joe Flacco Returns to Browns on 1-Year Deal

The Browns agreed to a one-year deal worth $4 million (up to $13 million in incentives) with the veteran QB, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Flacco led the Browns to a playoff berth two seasons ago, and was awarded the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. With Deshaun Watson rehabbing from a torn achilles, Flacco will have a chance to earn the starting role.

Flacco, 40, spent last season with the Indianapolis Colts. He began as Anthony Richardson’s backup, but was eventually named starter after the young QB struggled. The Colts went 2-4 in Flacco’s six starts, and he threw for 12 TDs to 7 INTs and completed 65.3 percent of his passes.

In 2023, Flacco was a late addition to the Browns roster. In Week 13, he took over as the team’s starter and led them to a 4-1 record down the stretch. During that stretch, Flacco averaged 323.2 passing yards per game and threw for multiple touchdowns in each start. The Browns earned a spot in the playoffs, but were knocked out in the Wild Card round by the Houston Texans. Flacco tossed a pair of pick-sixes in the 45-14 loss.

Cleveland had to address the quarterback position at some point during the offseason. Watson will likely miss most, if not all, of next season. His massive contract blocked the potential of adding a highly-paid backup such as Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins. Adding Flacco — somebody that HC Kevin Stefanski is already familiar with — was the more cost-efficient move. They also have former first-round pick Kenny Pickett who they traded for from the Philadelphia Eagles.

While it’s not safe to rule it out just yet, the Browns signing Flacco and trading for Pickett could mean they’re not intending to use their first-round pick on a rookie signal-caller. Some pundits had linked Cleveland to Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders. While Flacco and Pickett aren’t long-term options, the Browns could prefer to stick with their current room, wait for Watson to return, and add a potential star like WR/CB Travis Hunter or edge rusher Abdul Carter in the meantime.