Can the Browns catch lightning-in-a-bottle a second time with Joe Flacco? At worst, he gives them insurance to not have to rush a rookie QB ahead of his time.
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
The Browns’ quarterback plan came into better focus on Friday when they signed Joe Flacco for a curtain call.
The 40+ year-old quarterback, who inspired “Flacco Fever” by coming off his couch in New Jersey in late November of 2023 and leading the Browns to the playoffs with a 4-1 run in his five starts, agreed to an incentive-laden contract for one year. It starts at $3 million guaranteed and can reach $8 million if he can duplicate what he did in 2023.
Flacco’s affordability and familiarity with the Browns’ expected return to the 2023-style offense made him a no-brainer acquisition to compete with Kenny Pickett for the immediate starting job.
The signing also improves the probability of the Browns favoring a “developmental” quarterback prospect in the draft who won’t need to be rushed in ahead of his time.
A source at the NFL annual meeting two weeks ago told TheLandOnDemand the Browns intended to bring Flacco back, but something needed to be worked out for it to happen. The details of Flacco’s incentives were a possible hold-up.
While a Flacco return seemed the best alternative for the Browns, the delay in signing him left many “experts” to say the club would inevitably choose to trade for Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins.
The fact is the Browns crossed off Cousins when it became clear the Falcons would not release him and would demand a draft pick in return. The Browns then traded a fifth-round pick and Dorian Thompson-Robinson for Pickett, who came at the minimal salary on his rookie contract.
The Browns did have interest in Russell Wilson, too, but always were aware he would not come as cheaply. Wilson signed with the Giants for $10.5 million guaranteed.
The Giants also were interested in Flacco, as were the Steelers, Vikings and Lions. But Flacco held out hope that the Browns would bring him back.
“Cleveland was [Flacco’s] number one from day one,” said Joe Linta, Flacco’s agent. “And, you know, Joe wanted to go back there bad last year. He understands what happened, why it happened, but he's really juiced because he loved it. Because it's a blue-collar town. He's a regular guy. He goes through, drives through McDonald's. I mean, he's a perfect fit for the place.”
The Browns didn’t bring back Flacco in 2024 because they went all-in with Deshaun Watson, changing the offense to suit him and replacing the popular Flacco with Jameis Winston to remove the likelihood of polarizing the fan base and locker room.
Flacco signed with Indianapolis and did not duplicate the success he had with the Browns. Flacco relieved starter Anthony Richardson in Game 4 and pulled out a 27-24 win over the Steelers. After Richardson was benched, Flacco went 1-1 as starter in the next two games.
The Colts hoped the two-game layoff would inspire Richardson to work harder. He was reinstated as starter, then lost the job again.
Flacco wound up starting six games for the Colts, winning two. Overall, Flacco completed 162 of 248 passes (65.3%) for 1,761 yards. He had 12 touchdowns v. 7 interceptions.
In his last 12 starts with the Browns and Colts, including a wild-card loss with the Browns in Houston, Flacco has thrown for 26 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. So there’s no guarantee of anything in his second stint other than he will compete with Pickett for the starting job.
The combination of Pickett and Flacco relieves the Browns of the pressure to manufacture a starting quarterback in the draft while there is none beyond expected top choice Cam Ward of Miami.
The perception that Flacco wants nothing to do with “mentoring” a young quarterback is unfounded, Linta said.
“Go back and ask anybody who was with the Jets [when Flacco sat behind Zach Wilson],” Linta said. “Go back and ask anybody that was with Baltimore when Lamar [Jackson] came in for that year and a half that they were together. Ask anybody in Indianapolis.
“I met with [Colts GM] Chris Ballard at the Combine. He said, ‘Joe was great, man, what a pro.’ He was trying to help this [Richardson].”
So the Browns have constructed a young and old veteran support group for the rookie QB they intend to pursue on April 24-26.
Now the questions are whom they take … and when.