A big reason that the Cleveland Browns were able to win 11 games in the 2023 season and qualify for the playoffs was the performance of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. He was the fourth different starting quarterback in Cleveland this season, following injuries and ineffective play by Deshaun Watson, P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Flacco stepped right into the role and immediately the Browns’ offense took off. He developed excellent chemistry and cohesion with wide receiver Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku, turning this unit into a big-play, explosive group.
It is anyone’s guess what the future holds for the 39-year-old Flacco. But, if the choice was his, he would be back in the NFL next season. That is something he has expressed and Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press shared earlier this week.
NFL News & Rumors: Joe Flacco & Cleveland Browns Updates
“Browns QB Joe Flacco, an AP Comeback Player of the Year finalist, intends to play next season in the NFL. Where he plays will obviously depend on the offers he gets.”
It will be interesting to see what kind of offers Flacco receives if he gets any at all. He was productive with the Browns, completing 60.4 percent of his passes for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in five regular season games. Against the Houston Texans in the playoffs, he completed 73.9 percent of his passes for 307 yards and one touchdown.
However, turnovers were an issue for him. He threw two interceptions against Houston and eight in the regular season. He also fumbled a total of four times, as the Browns defied all odds winning as much as they did with how often they turned the ball over.
NFL News & Rumors: Joe Flacco & Cleveland Browns Updates
Ball security was certainly an issue, but Flacco showed that he can still execute an offense and make all of the throws when he is protected. Coming off his couch following Thanksgiving and producing the way he did for the Browns proves he still has something left in the tank to offer.
While a starting job likely isn’t coming his way, he should certainly be considered for a backup position. There aren’t 64 quarterbacks better than Flacco in the world right now and he should find a strong market for a contending team that wants veteran insurance behind their starter.
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