The Cleveland Browns might have missed the chance to sign veteran quarterback Joe Flacco if he had landed a job he auditioned for last month with ESPN.
After a big win in Week 14, the Cleveland Browns improved their place in the NFL standings and are looking like a legitimate contender to reach the playoffs this season. It is a surprising development since they have been without original starting QB Deshaun Watson for most of the season, and have had difficulties replacing him.
Related: 2023 NFL QB rankings ahead of Week 15
Before their Week 12 game against the Denver Broncos, the organization decided they needed to improve the QB room after Watson suffered a season-ending injury and signed former Baltimore Ravens star Joe Flacco. The hope was that rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson would grow into the starting role and the 16-year veteran would serve as a mentor.
However, after another inefficient outing in a 29-12 loss to Denver, the Browns decided to pull the trigger and make Flacco their new starting QB. In his first start during Week 13, he was solid in a difficult situation as they came up short to the Los Angeles Rams. But in Week 14 he put on a show in a huge win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Joe Flacco failed at landing an ESPN analyst job before signing with Cleveland Browns
On Sunday, the 38-year-old threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in a wild shootout victory against the Jags. It was a performance that sent fans at Cleveland Browns Stadium into a frenzy. Now, the Browns have a competent signal-caller and a real chance to return to the postseason early next year.
But all of that was close to not happening. On Tuesday, ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark revealed during an appearance on “Get Up” that Flacco actually auditioned for a spot on the network’s Tuesday series, “Inside the NFL.” However, based on the one-time Pro Bowler’s explanation, it seems ESPN passed on hiring the one-time Super Bowl winner.
Chances are he would have turned down a chance with the Browns this season if he had the role with ESPN and was trying to develop his career after football with the media giant. How different things might have been for Cleveland if that did occur.
- Joe Flacco stats (2023): 565 passing yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs, 83.8 rating
Until he signed with the Browns three weeks ago, several teams passed on adding him despite multiple starting QB injuries and it seemed like his NFL career was at an end.