Browns OC Still Sees Something 'Elite' About Joe Flacco

Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has had over a week to assess his new practice squad quarterback, Joe Flacco, in person.

And he believes there still is something elite — yes, he used that specific word — about Flacco, who’s 38 years old and in his 16th NFL season.

“He has an elite arm,” Van Pelt said. “There’s no question. If you put it on a scale of one to five, I’d say he’s a five. His ball flight, his velocity on the ball at every level of the field is very impressive. He threw some balls on the scout team last week and the guys in the back were kind of fired up.”

Browns fans might have a chance Sunday to make their own assessment on Flacco’s arm abilities.

Flacco could be the Browns’ starter in Week 13 against the Rams if Dorian Thompson-Robinson is forced to miss the game due to a concussion. He suffered it last Sunday against the Broncos and missed practice Wednesday, and head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Flacco will be the backup option this week.

The question of whether Flacco has been “elite” has followed him seemingly forever throughout his long career, and the question has taken on a more humorous tone the further he’s been removed from winning MVP in Super Bowl XLVII.

Flacco’s best days are likely behind him — he’s gone 3-14 with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 20 games since ending his 11-year career in Baltimore and joining the Broncos in 2019, but that didn’t stop Van Pelt from breaking out that famous “e” word when describing how he’s looked since joining Cleveland.

Arm strength has always been Flacco’s calling card since he was drafted in the first round by the Ravens in 2008, and Van Pelt still sees plenty of it as Flacco prepares to potentially become the fourth QB to start for the Browns this season.

“I think there’s still a lot left in that tank,” he said. “Yesterday would solidify that for me. Just watching him with the accuracy and the velocity, the footwork and everything that he showed yesterday.”