Joe Flacco will not be signed by Browns, veteran QB heads home after backup trial
The Browns hosted a quarterback workout Friday morning that included former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, according to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Flacco, who played for the Jets last season, has “kept his mind open” about an NFL return.
The Browns are in desperate need of quarterback help in the wake of starter Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury.
Cleveland’s other quarterback options include veteran P. Walker, who has been underwhelming in previous spot starts for Watson this season, and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who will make his second NFL start this Sunday.
Former Super Bowl Champion MVP quarterback Joe Flacco is working out for the Cleveland Browns in an attempt to get signed as a backup quarterback following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder surgery.
News of Flacco heading to Cleveland came Thursday night when a picture started being sent around social media football circles showing the former Ravens, Broncos, Eagles and Jets quarterback allegedly boarding a commercial flight.
It now appears that it is true.
Flacco played in five games for the Jets last season, starting in four, and completed 57. 6% of his passes for 1,051 yards and five touchdowns to three interceptions.
Joe Flacco, who last played for the Jets in 2022 in a career that began in 2008 as a first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens, worked out for the Browns Nov. 17 in Berea, a league source confirmed.
Starting quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a fractured shoulder in the game with the Ravens on Nov. 12 and is out for the season, leaving rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson and journeyman P. Walker as the only quarterbacks on the roster.
He started the first nine games of 2018, going 4-5 with 12 touchdown passes and six interceptions before being replaced by then-rookie Lamar Jackson.
He quarterbacked the Jets to a 31-30 win over the Browns in the second game of 2022 after the Browns led, 30-17, with 1:55 to play.
They aren’t looking for Flacco or whoever they sign to step onto the field and pass for 300 yards and five touchdowns every game.
The Cleveland Browns reportedly brought in veteran quarterback Joe Flacco for a workout Friday, according to multiple reports.
Cleveland is looking to expand their quarterback depth as Deshaun Watson underwent season ending surgery for a broken bone in his throwing shoulder.
The Browns gave Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million contract that now looks to have been a mistake.
Flacco’s workout comes days after the team announced Deshaun Watson would undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry later said the team would add another quarterback to the room alongside Week 11 starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson and backup P. Walker.
In 15 seasons, Flacco completed 61. 6 percent of his passes for 42,320 yards, 232 touchdowns and 147 interceptions.
The former Super Bowl MVP is working out Friday for Cleveland, which is still sorting through its quarterback situation after losing Deshaun Watson with a season-ending shoulder injury.
The 38-year-old Flacco could be an option for the Browns, who lost Watson for the remainder of this season when he fractured his right shoulder in the first half of last week’s win at Baltimore.
Watson played the second half and went 14 of 14 passing despite the injury while rallying the Browns to a 33-31 win.
Flacco, who played 11 seasons for the Ravens, is the only QB being worked out Friday at the team’s facility, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the club never publicly discloses any player workouts.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski would not confirm Flacco’s workout following practice, saying only “we bring a lot of guys in.”
Flacco has an 18-3 career mark against the Browns, and last season he rallied the New York Jets to an improbable comeback win over them.
With Watson sidelined, the Browns are starting rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) with P. Walker as his backup.
Earlier this week, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the team will add a third QB, but he didn’t specify if it would be to the active roster or practice squad.
The Browns may wait to see how Thompson-Robinson does in his second career start before making any decisions.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore spent two seasons with Flacco in New York and said he would be a great addition.
Flacco played 11 seasons for the Ravens, three with the Jets and one in Denver. Like Moore, Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett believes Flacco would be a major asset — as a player or simply to help Thompson-Robinson.
Joe Flacco is working out for the Cleveland Browns today in an attempt to get signed as a backup quarterback following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder surgery.
The 38-year-old, who just last year helped lead the Jets to a come-from-behind victory against the Browns, scoring two touchdowns in 90 seconds, was the only quarterback expected to be at the facility today trying out for the position.
Cleveland is looking to expand their quarterback depth as Deshaun Watson underwent season ending surgery for a broken bone in his throwing shoulder.
The Browns announced that fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson will take the start against the Steelers on Sunday, moving the 5-4 PJ Walker to their backup.
Should Flacco somehow actually end up getting some playing time, the Browns will hope that he brings the same kind of dominance he brought with his 18-3 record against Cleveland throughout his career.
The healthy quarterbacks on the Browns roster have started 10 games — one by rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson and nine by journeyman P. Walker.
Joe Flacco, 38, worked out for the Browns in their search for a third quarterback following the season-ending shoulder injury to starter Deshaun Watson.
He added win No. 18 the last time the Browns saw him, leading the Jets to an inexplicable comeback win in Week 2 last season.
He’s started 180 of 183 games, going 99-81, and was the Super Bowl MVP in Baltimore’s win after the 2012 season.
General Manager Andrew Berry said Wednesday the Browns would quickly add a third quarterback, either to the practice squad or active roster.
Watson was lost for the season with the shoulder injury sustained last Sunday in a comeback win over the Ravens.
He finished the game despite the shoulder injury and a high ankle sprain, going 14-for-14 in the second half.
Coach Kevin Stefanski expects Watson to be on the sideline vs. the Steelers.
Stefanski declined to comment on Flacco’s visit.
Like AB mentioned, we’re going to add a player at some point,
I like the guys we have in there. I think they bring great energy, preparation. So, whoever we add in that room obviously will fit well in that.
The Browns love the chemistry they’ve created across the roster this season and will be careful to not disturb it.
Moore isn’t worried about Flacco affecting the vibe.
He’s a great leader. He’s a vet and I know anyone that would be around him would have a good time and learn a lot.
Defensive end Myles Garrett also endorsed the idea of signing Flacco.
Maturity and experience, incredible wisdom that, I mean as much as Deshaun has played, Flacco has seen more,
He’s been to the highest levels. He’s won. And he can provide that little bit of a mentor role if he doesn’t see the field — being there and being a consistent leader.
Now, those are some inspirational words to hear, especially from an accomplished player like Myles.
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