JUST IN: Top club insider reveal Browns new QB as Joe Flacco fails

When new Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco took the field against the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday, many people had ideas about what to expect from the 38-year-old signal caller.

Would he be rusted? After all, he hadn’t played in a game for the New York Jets since Week 17 of the 2022 season.

How would he perform as a 38-year-old playing a game for young men? That is an honest question, and it was answered in the game when Flacco played well, and aside from a terrible interception, he was more than just a game manager who would hand the ball off 40 times a game.

Did he have any arm strength left? Perhaps a little too much, as he sailed the ball over receivers’ heads seven times during the game. Of course, two were doing it on purpose to avoid getting a sack, but the others simply took off and ran wild. However, his arm strength is no longer an issue. Even his passes have a lot of spin and a tight spiral to them.

Is Flacco’s mobility still intact? He demonstrated that he wasn’t going to gain valuable real estate with his legs, but he did come out of the pocket multiple times when flushed and was able to stay focused downfield. On his scrambles, he had several good reads and was able to find an open receiver here and there, including the “butt catch.”

Could the Browns expect a full season from Flacco, who is still on the practice squad and considered the emergency QB3? He demonstrated calmness and the ability to go through his progressions and sustain drives against the Rams.

And did he receive any praise from Browns fans after the game? Before the game, many fans were convinced that rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR) would be the starter for the rest of the season. But what about now? DTR is currently in concussion protocol. It’s unclear when and if he’ll be cleared to play, but even if he is, there’s disagreement over whether he should be inserted or stick with the seasoned veteran for the rest of the season.

But, against the Rams, Flacco faced one deterrent who had no qualms about wanting him to fail: Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

Following their 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers the week before, the Ravens had a bye in Week 13. Harbaugh held his weekly press conference on Monday, following the completion of all Week 13 games, and one of the questions posed was whether he watched the Browns vs. Rams game and if he was rooting for his former quarterback. His response:

“I was rooting against Joe [Flacco] and the Browns.”

As the postseason approaches, the Ravens lead the AFC North Division and hold the No. 2 seed. The Browns have split their games against the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Harbaugh went on to say:

“I watched a few games but wasn’t glued to the television.” I’m not even sure I have a package. I watch Red Zone as well as the networks. I’m playing games; I’m not going to pay for it. But I’m kicking myself for not having it during the bye week. So you root for the teams that stand in your way.”

The Browns and Steelers both lost while Baltimore was idle. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the AFC South Division leader Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football to close the gap on Cleveland and Pittsburgh to one game.

Harbaugh admitted he watched the Browns-Rams game for two reasons: one, to see the Browns lose, and two, Los Angeles is the Ravens’ next opponent.

He elaborated:

Flacco was drafted in the first round by Baltimore and played for Harbaugh from 2008 to 2018. During his time in Baltimore, Flacco led the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory and appeared in 16 playoff games. The Ravens traded Flacco to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round draft pick after drafting QB Lamar Jackson.

While Harbaugh was holding his weekly press conference, Berea Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was also holding his weekly press conference. When asked who would start at quarterback this week if DTR is cleared to play, he said he wasn’t sure.

Stefanski stated during his Zoom media event:

“I’m not going to get into that sort of thing.” It’s only Monday, and we’ll get through it.”

But Stefanski did offer his thoughts on what he saw in Flacco’s game against the Rams in terms of how he functioned and how he calmed the waters for the position.

“Joe did a good job operationally; he was sharp.” We weren’t perfect in and out of the huddle, but Joe did a good job, as you’d expect from a veteran. We had nine guys with receptions, and if we do our job correctly, that is what it is. The ball always goes where the defense wants it to go. Joe seemed to get through progressions and find a lot of guys in the passing game.”

And if Stefanski’s decision is to keep Flacco, he will have a slew of new fans wishing him luck in what should be a playoff season.

At the very least, Harbaugh could have stated about his former quarterback that he supported Flacco but not his new team.