Joe Flacco is on track to hit free agency with far more value than he had one year ago. If the 39-year-old quarterback has his way, though, he will remain in Cleveland for 2024. 
Flacco is among the Browns’ pending free agents, and a recent report noted he was expected to gauge the market for the chance to operate as a starter. He did so to close out the 2023 season – in surprisingly effective fashion – while filling in for the injured Deshaun Watson. The latter will be in place for years to come, though, meaning a new Browns accord would consign Flacco to backup duties.
In spite of that, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports a Cleveland re-up is Flacco’s “first choice.” The former Super Bowl MVP joined midseason after failing to receive much interest following the end of his Jets tenure. He took charge of a severely injured offense down the stretch and helped lead the team to the postseason.
Flacco earned Comeback Player of the Year honors as a result, and he would no doubt be able to land at least a notable backup deal with any number of teams on the open market as he attempts to play two more years. It will be interesting to see how willing the Browns are to entertain talks in the coming days to prevent him from reaching free agency. The team currently has roughly $6.8MM in cap space.
Cleveland is amenable to a new Flacco pact, one which will add further to the cap investments made under center. Watson is currently set to count nearly $64MM against the cap over the next three years, meaning another restructure will be necessary. The Browns also added Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the fifth round of last year’s draft, giving them a young and cost-effective option at the QB spot even if Flacco leaves.
A signing amongst the various bridge options set to hit the market would allow the Browns to maintain depth in the wake of Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury. A number of outside options will be available, but retaining Flacco could wind up being the team’s ultimate direction if his desire to remain in place meshes with Cleveland’s valuation.
I don’t believe anyone playing only 5 games should be the comeback player of the year.
Agreed it should have been Baker. Flacco was great but only for 5 games and Hamlin barely played at all.
Tua had a better year. More TD’S. More yards. Higher completion percentage. More wins. And he actually came back from an injury. Baker came back from being the 31st rated quarterback
Tua flamed out to end the season. Baker truly changed his career trajectory after a couple of years of moving in the wrong direction.
Baker was 9-8 in the weakest division. You’re right that Flacco shouldn’t get comeback player of the year for 5 games, but you shouldn’t get comeback player for being very bad the year before
Tua had the best wide receiver in the NFL and Waddle as targets. I agree a handful of games is hard to call the comeback player of the year but even if he can’t replicate it he did come off the street with a handful of games and played great getting the Browns into the postseason. All props for that
Lmao no way.
Hey , Flacco thrived in Cleveland
I was a little surprised with the complete implosion versus the Texans, but I would welcome a Flacco reunion as a casual Browns fan
Joe should re-sign with Browns. The creep Watson may continue to disappoint and Joe will save the season again.
His arm is strong, just cut down on the interceptions.
It was a fun stage show to watch but I don’t see Joe pulling any more rabbits out of the hat. Matt Ryan was in the same draft class as Joe so perhaps this is his year to be the CPOY.
A win-win for both sides. The Browns get an affordable, high-upside back-up who can immediately step in for their unreliable starting QB. Flacco gets to sign with a team that will give him the best chance to win that elusive second ring and give him an area he is comfortable in