The Cleveland Browns are signing quarterback Joe Flacco to a one-year deal worth $4 million, according to sources who spoke to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The signing was later confirmed by the Cleveland Browns.
This is the former Super Bowl MVP’s second stint with the Browns. He previously made five regular-season starts for Cleveland during the 2023-24 campaign, going 4-1 while leading the Browns to the franchise’s first playoff appearance since the 2020-21 season. His performance as Cleveland’s starter earned him the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
Flacco ’round and run it back 😏 pic.twitter.com/SwJgepPPZE
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 11, 2025
Flacco most recently spent the 2024-25 season with the Indianapolis Colts, where he went 2-4 as a starter. In six starts, he completed 65.3% of his passes for 1,761 passing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Over his 17-year career, Flacco has thrown for 45,697 passing yards, which ranks 18th on the NFL’s all-time list. He’s also 12th all-time with 4,166 pass completions.
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Another backup plan for the Browns
Not only did the Browns have Deshaun Watson, but they also completed a trade this off-season to acquire former first-round pick Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles. Clearly, though, Cleveland wasn’t satisfied with the state of their quarterback room. As a result, they decided to bring in the last guy who was actually a successful passer for them: 40-year-old Joe Flacco.
This tells me that the Browns have no faith in Watson. Whether caused by suspension or injury, Deshaun Watson has failed to play a full season in a Cleveland Browns uniform. In fact, he has never started more than seven games for Cleveland. It’s also not a coincidence that the Browns have been significantly worse with him as their starter.
We also can’t ignore the fact that Watson has torn the same Achilles tendon twice in the last seven months. The first time he tore his right Achilles tendon came back in October 2024. Then, he had to have a second surgery on the same tendon after re-rupturing it in January. Due to this most recent setback, there’s a chance that he might miss the entire 2025-26 season, which Browns fans would probably be happy about.
Who would win a Kenny Pickett vs. Joe Flacco QB competition? @TonyGrossi thinks it might surprise you… pic.twitter.com/q1NtQ2trQX
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) April 11, 2025
Before the Flacco signing, Kenny Pickett was the only other quarterback on the roster. Though he won his only start last season, I credit that victory to the Eagles’ organization rather than Kenny Pickett’s quarterbacking ability. The last time Pickett was a full-time starter, he averaged 172.5 passing yards per game, which would’ve ranked 38th amongst all quarterbacks who played in at least one game last season. To put it plainly: that sucks.
I can almost guarantee that Joe Flacco will start multiple games for the Browns this year. He averaged 220.1 passing yards per game last season, which is way more than Deshaun Waston’s average from the 2024-25 campaign. It’s also well above Kenny Pickett’s career average (158.8 passing yards per game). Sadly for Cleveland fans, Joe Flacco is the best quarterback on this team’s roster.
A peek into the Browns’ draft strategy
This is a fascinating signing because it makes it seem like the Browns could be done adding quarterbacks to their roster. Most teams have two or three quarterbacks on their depth chart. Very rarely do we see franchises nowadays carry four or more starting-caliber quarterbacks.
Since I don’t know if Deshaun Watson will be ready for the season-opener, I am going to assume that Joe Flacco will be the Week One starter, while his backup will be Kenny Pickett. Once Watson recovers from his ACL tear, the Browns will make him the starter because they’re not going to pay him $46 million to ride the bench.
Based on this signing, I think the Browns will NOT be selecting a quarterback with the second-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The only way I think that changes is if Cam Ward somehow becomes available, which I guarantee will not happen.
We are literally bringing back species extinct for over 10,000 years before the Cleveland Browns can find a franchise quarterback.
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) April 7, 2025
If their options with the second-overall pick are Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, or Abdul Carter, then I think they would be best served by drafting a positional player like Carter or Hunter. In all likelihood, their offensive performance this coming season will be so bad that they’ll once again earn a top-five draft pick, meaning they’ll be able to draft a quarterback next off-season.
Between Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter, I don’t think there’s a wrong choice. Abdul Carter is arguably the best prospect in this draft class and will immediately give the Browns the best defensive line in the NFL if he can line up on the opposite side of Myles Garrett. Meanwhile, Travis Hunter is one of the most unique draft prospects we have ever seen since he demonstrates an ability to be a high-level wide receiver and cornerback. He would be an instant impact player for Cleveland on both sides of the ball.
I would be shocked at this point if the Browns still ended up drafting a quarterback with the second-overall pick. I could see them selecting a QB at another point during the draft, but I think the best choice for them is to take Travis Hunter at the number-two spot.
