While it’s been a fairly small sample size thus far, Joe Flacco is showing that not only were the Cleveland Browns right to give him a chance but also that he still belongs in the NFL. In fact, a case could even be made that Flacco should still be starting somewhere at quarterback, especially with how many teams have less-than-ideal backup QB situations.
Flacco has performed admirably for the Browns, but Cleveland already has its franchise QB in Deshaun Watson, who’s signed through the 2026 season. While Flacco could always return as a backup, we get the impression that the soon-to-be 39-year-old wants to see the field.
If Flacco wants to keep playing in 2024, and he’s already said that he does, which teams would be good fits for the former Super Bowl-winning QB? Here are just a few that could work for Flacco.
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New England Patriots
What the New England Patriots really have at the quarterback position is a complete disaster. You don’t invest a first-round selection one year, then a fourth-round pick the next, only to end up with zero competent QBs in the following year. Yet, that’s the exact situation the Patriots are in.
Mac Jones isn’t the solution. Bailey Zappe isn’t either. Now, Malik Cunningham has removed himself from the situation, too, after landing with the Baltimore Ravens, despite several members of the Patriots believing he deserved a shot.
The Patriots have to make changes offensively this offseason, and there’s a strong chance they will come via the 2023 NFL Draft, with New England currently projected to pick fourth. With several top QB prospects like Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix, Bo Nix, J.J. McCarthy and more expected to be available, it’s possible the Patriots take another swing at a top draft pick.
Yet, even if the Patriots add another young QB, there’s no guarantee he’ll be equipped to play right away, especially if New England’s front office doesn’t provide him with a better receiving corps. So, how about a veteran like Flacco, who is never afraid to let it rip? With a gunslinger like Flacco dropping bombs, the Patriots’ rate of explosive plays should increase drastically, but he’s still just a stopgap.
Las Vegas Raiders
Imagine if the 2023 Las Vegas Raiders had Joe Flacco instead of Aidan O’Connell or Jimmy Garoppolo? Based on the early returns, there’s a good chance the Raiders would have higher odds of reaching the playoffs. Yet, at the start of the year, having Flacco around would have seemed like a weird fit, with Garoppolo and O’Connell both entering their first seasons in Las Vegas.
Yet, in hindsight, going forward, why not consider adding a player who we’ve seen may have a higher floor than any of the current options on the Raiders roster? Chances are, the Raiders will make drafting a QB their top priority this offseason, which leaves just O’Connell and a rookie on the roster if Jimmy G is shipped out.
Having a capable vet like Flacco on hand, who might even be the best option to begin the year while a rookie learns, would give the Raiders a stronger chance of avoiding another disastrous season. At this point, they don’t have much to lose.
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Washington Commanders
Sam Howell is the Washington Commanders’ franchise quarterback. Or is he? After starting strongly, Howell is no longer even the team’s starter to close out the regular season. Yet, it’s possible the Commanders still convince themselves he can be part of the solution over the offseason, especially if a better option doesn’t jump out at them.
Truthfully, the Commanders have no reason to ‘move on’ from the 2022 fifth-round pick. He’ll still be under contract through the 2025 season at a very affordable rate, but Washington must bring in some competition, much like we saw with Jacoby Brissett.
Brissett could stick around, especially if his short stint goes well, but if the Commanders want to inject a bigger arm into their offense while still leaving the door open for Howell to take back over, there may not be a better candidate out there than Flacco.
Atlanta Falcons
If there’s one thing coach Arthur Smith and the Atlanta Falcons likely learned this season, it’s that they don’t have a franchise QB on the roster. Many teams don’t. While Desmond Ridder can continue developing until his contract is up after the 2025 season, Atlanta would be foolish to enter the year with him as the starter again.
But their mild success has also put the Falcons out of reaching distance for one of the very best QBs in the draft. This means Atlanta could find themselves in a similar situation next year, where despite a desire to add a top talent at QB, they just aren’t in a position to do so.
Unless fans are thrilled about the idea of a Heinicke/Ridder combo again, then perhaps adding Flacco into the mix suddenly doesn’t look so bad, but only if the Falcons strike out everywhere else.
Denver Broncos
This one is a complete crapshoot. It’s clear Sean Payton doesn’t want Russell Wilson anywhere near his team in 2024. Jarrett Stidham will get a chance to prove why he deserves the starting QB position full-time, but we have a hard time envisioning him locking that job up in two starts.
Hitching your cart to a 38-year-old who turns 39 in January doesn’t sound like much fun either, but at least he’s a veteran with plenty of playoff experience. The Broncos would know what they’re getting with Flacco, a big-armed QB with a slow wind-up who has a tendency to make mistakes.
Yet, that same risk-taking mentality is what helps him produce big performances. This is a player who’s produced four 300-yard passing games in five starts in Cleveland after joining the team mid-season. Who’s to say he can’t make magic in Denver with a full offseason and training camp to get his timing down with a young group of pass-catchers eager to run wild?
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