Vincent Frank
The Cleveland Browns had veteran quarterback Joe Flacco in for a work out late last week, but opted against signing the Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
That changed after Sunday’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to multiple media reports, Cleveland has signed Flacco to its practice squad. The team is expected to elevate him to the active roster ahead of next week’s game against the Denver Broncos.
It stands to reason that the Browns wanted to see where they stood after NFL Week 11 before making the decision to sign Flacco.
With Deshaun Watson out for the season due to a shoulder injury, depth is an issue in the Browns’ quarterback room. Rookie fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson was surprisingly tabbed as the starter this week over veteran P.J. Walker. He proceeded to complete 24-of-43 passes for a mere 165 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception.
Once again, it was the Browns’ defense that stepped up in holding Kenny Pickett to 77 net passing yards as they won by the score of 13-10 to move to 7-3 on the season.
Related: Cleveland Browns standing in Sportsnaut’s NFL power rankings
What Joe Flacco provides the Cleveland Browns
Experience. Experience. More experience. A first-round pick of the division-rival Baltimore Ravens back in 2008, Flacco has started 180 games throughout his career. He last saw action with the New York Jets in 2022, throwing five touchdowns compared to three interceptions in five games (four starts).
- Joe Flacco career stats: 62% completion, 42,320 yards, 232 TD, 147 INT
Flacco, 38, has not been a starter-caliber quarterback since all the way back in 2014 with the Baltimore Ravens when he threw 27 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
The Delaware product led Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers following the 2012 season.
Whether Flacco is called on to start for Cleveland moving forward remains to be seen. But at the very least, the team adds experience to a greenish quarterback room for the stretch run.
