Joe Flacco will return to Cleveland for 2025. The 40-year-old quarterback has an settlement in place with the Browns, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The transfer is now official.
This shall be a one-year take care of a base worth of $4M, per Flacco’s company. The pact might be value as much as $13M due to incentives. After taking on beginning duties late within the 2023 marketing campaign, the previous Tremendous Bowl MVP will now return to the Browns as they proceed to kind out their quarterback scenario.
Deshaun Watson‘s second Achilles tear threatens to maintain him sidelined for all the 2025 marketing campaign. Consequently, the Browns have been lively in pursuing veteran assist underneath heart, buying and selling for former Steelers first-rounder Kenny Pickett earlier this offseason. Extra strikes had been anticipated, though indicators pointed in opposition to the No. 2 choose on this month’s draft being devoted to a signal-caller. This deal represents one other indication that would be the case.
Flacco’s time atop the depth chart with the Ravens ended with a knee harm halfway by way of the 2018 marketing campaign. Then-rookie Lamar Jackson changed him within the lineup and has remained the starter ever since. After the season, Flacco was dealt to the Broncos, though his one-and-done Denver marketing campaign didn’t go in accordance with plan. The previous first-rounder then noticed time with the Jets and Eagles, making 9 begins between 2020-22.
Uncertainty loomed over Flacco’s NFL future, however the Browns represented a chance to proceed his profession as soon as Watson went down in 2023. The Delaware product was initially introduced in as veteran insurance coverage, however he rapidly locked down the QB1 gig and helped lead Cleveland to the playoffs. Flacco averaged 323 yards per recreation and threw 13 landing passes in 5 regular-season video games, however interceptions proved to be an issue then and within the crew’s wild-card loss to the Texans.
Flacco most well-liked to stay with the Browns for 2024, however he wound up taking a one-year Colts deal after Indianapolis was priced out of Gardner Minshew‘s market. Anthony Richardson started the season atop the depth chart, however the former No. 4 choose was benched at one level and once more missed time as a result of harm. That allowed Flacco to made six begins, bringing his profession complete to 191. That determine might rise even additional in 2025.
Pickett is now joined by Flacco as a wholesome Browns quarterback possibility. Cleveland has been linked to a pursuit of Kirk Cousins, who’s searching for a contemporary begin after being demoted to backup by the Falcons. A commerce after the draft continues to be potential at this level since Atlanta is open to entertaining it, however particularly if the Browns add a developmental passer someday through the draft the marketplace for Cousins shall be fairly restricted. In any case, Flacco — who posted a 90.5 passer ranking in 2024 — shall be a well-recognized possibility for head coach Kevin Stefanski and Co.
Apparently, Schefter provides Flacco additionally spoke with the Steelers and Vikings prior to creating his Cleveland return. Pittsburgh is in fact nonetheless linked to Aaron Rodgers because the crew seeks a short-term starter; Rodgers’ most well-liked vacation spot, in the meantime is Minnesota. The Vikings (barring a Rodgers deal) are set handy the reins over to J.J. McCarthy in 2025, however they’re clearly looking out for a veteran. Flacco might have fulfilled that position, however as an alternative he’ll compete for enjoying time in Cleveland.
