Veteran Steelers Quarterback Target Signs with Browns
The Cleveland Browns have agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal includes incentives that can earn him up to $13 million. Flacco now will return to Cleveland, where he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023.
Schefter also noted that Flacco spoke with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings but opted to spend his 18th NFL season with the Browns. The Steelers’ quarterback situation remains unclear, as they continue to wait on Aaron Rodgers.
Flacco will join former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett and Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. Watson might have played his last down, however.
“Executives and agents around the league expressed doubt to ESPN that the former Pro Bowl quarterback will get another opportunity in the NFL, even if healthy,” Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN wrote.
The first thing Watson must do to even get another opportunity is get healthy. He re-ruptured his Achilles last season, which will significantly impact his rehab.
“I would say there’s … a likelihood that he doesn’t play [in 2025] than he does from a medical standpoint,” a foot and ankle specialist who has worked with NFL teams told ESPN.
Pickett said he viewed himself as a starter during his introductory press conference with the Browns. He’ll now have competition from the 40-year-old Flacco. The Browns also have the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, so the quarterback position could be in play.
The Steelers are highly familiar with Flacco, as he was the Baltimore Ravens quarterback for 11 years. Flacco has played with several teams since leaving Baltimore in 2019, most recently with the Indianapolis Colts.
This past season, Flacco led the Colts to a 27-24 victory over the Steelefs in Week 4. Flacco completed 16 of 26 passes (61.5%) for 168 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 105.9.
Overall, in eight games an six starts, Flacco completed 162 of 248 passes for 1,7161 yards with 12 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a passer rating of 90.5.
Flacco led the Cleveland Browns on a great run at the end of the 2023 season, powering them into the playoffs. It was such an impressive year for the 38-year-old quarterback that he received NFL Comeback Player of the Year from the Associated Press.