A Browns Reunion Is Reportedly This Veteran Quarterback's Preferred Destination
The story is of Joe Flacco's run from free agent watching football on his couch, to leading the Browns to the playoffs is one Cleveland fans won't soon forget.
If a report from Pro Football Talk turns out to be accurate the story may get a second chapter.
League sources reportedly confirmed to the site's founder, Mike Florio that "Flacco’s first choice," as an unrestricted free agency is to return to Cleveland. According to Florio's sources, the 16-year veteran, "loves playing there — the team, the city, the fans, everything," add that "the two sides met regarding the possibility last week, at the Scouting Combine."
Browns general manager Andrew Berry said at his end of the season press conference in January that the team would explore bringing Flacco back if it made sense for both sides. There's been a belief throughout the offseason though, that the Super Bowl 47 MVP would have starting opportunities elsewhere at his disposal – something Cleveland can't provide him with Deshaun Watson entering his third year with the franchise.
"We’d absolutely love to have Joe back," Berry said. "He’s a good quarterback, but I guess, maybe a little bit similar to Jacoby [Brissett] last year, it depends, right? I want to bring all of our good players back, but there are constraints to that on really kind of both sides of the aisle, but would have no problem having Joe back.”
Still, Flacco has spoken very highly of the Browns organization throughout the offseason and even mentioned he'd be happy to return.
After joining Cleveland's roster on November 20, Flacco went on to start five games between Week 13 and Week 17, going 4-1 and helping the franchise earn its first postseason berth since 2020. In the process, the former Ravens, Broncos and Jets signal caller threw for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
His efforts and the for Hollywood story that came with it were enough to earn Flacco the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year Award last month.
At that same end of the season presser, Berry emphasized that philosophically, the organization considers the backup QB a "top 30 position on the roster." That likely means addressing the role will be one of his top priorities this offseason.
Should the Browns land on Flacco as their guy, it should make for a pretty easy fit considering his familiarity with the team. Safe to say it would also be easy to sell to the fanbase.
