The Cleveland Browns are looking to extend veteran quarterback Joe Flacco before he becomes a free agency this year.
Flacco’s performance with the Browns last season paved the way for him to enter the free agent market. On November 20, he was added to the practice squad but immediately advanced to the starting position. From Week 13, Flacco lead the NFL in passing yards (323.2 per game) and touchdown passes (13).
Flacco is 39 years old and has a limited time remaining. He’ll most certainly chase a starting role, but the Browns would like him back. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Cleveland could look into extending his contract to keep him from becoming a free agent.
“I certainly think the Browns will try to extend Flacco’s contract before he hits the market on March 13, but he’ll also want to test the waters and see what’s out there,” Cabot said in her most recent Q&A column on February 18. “He’ll get more interest this offseason than he did last year, when he had no legitimate offers until the Browns called after Deshaun Watson suffered the fractured shoulder socket in Week 10.”
Other insiders are not as optimistic about Flacco’s likely return. The Athletic’s Zac Jackson believes Flacco is “defintley moving on” with Watson’s return.
There is some question about Watson’s health. He’s recovering from a catastrophic shoulder injury. Since joining the Browns in a blockbuster trade, he has appeared in only 12 games over the course of two seasons.
Browns will pursue a veteran backup.
The Browns had almost everything go wrong at quarterback until Flacco arrived. Watson missed two games due to a shoulder injury, while rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s season was cut short as well. In total, the Browns started five different quarterbacks.
During his end-of-season press conference, Browns general manager Andrew Berry made it obvious that the team values backup quarterbacks.
“In terms of the quarterback room, we’ve always emphasized the quarterback position. “I believe if you look at our history over the last four seasons, we’ve always been near the top of the league in backup quarterback expenditures or resources,” Berry stated. “I believe that backup quarterback really is a top 30 position on the roster and we do believe in carrying three, and that’s something that we’ll probably do moving forward.”
If Flacco does not return, the Browns may seek familiar faces such as Jacoby Brissett and Joshua Dobbs, according to Cabot.
Joe Flacco Open to Returning to the Browns
Given the circumstances, Flacco’s return to the Browns is unlikely. However, the former Super Bowl MVP has not given up hope of returning to Cleveland.
“I’m going to take my time as always, but it was one of the best experiences of my life,” Flacco told Cleveland.com on February 8. “I love it there, so definitely want to (come back).”
With a dearth of opportunities, Flacco was on the verge of retiring last season. However, he has no plans to leave the game just yet.
“I’m not riding off into any sunset,” Flacco told Cleveland.com. “This is not my style. I don’t care if it becomes ugly; I want to keep playing until it does. I want to be dragged from that field. Having said that, it might not be up to me. It took me till week whatever to be on a squad this year. I understand that I don’t make all of those decisions. But I think I’ll be back out there next year, taking things one day at a time.”
Watson is anticipated to be ready for training camp after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Thompson-Robinson is also under contract for the next season.
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