Joe Flacco has been named the Cleveland Browns’ starter for the rest of the season, but he has yet to be signed to the active roster.
On Monday, Flacco was demoted to the practice squad, making him available to sign with any team. Given all of the goodwill and knowledge Flacco has gained during his three weeks in Cleveland, it’s an unlikely scenario. However, it is a possibility, as NFL insider Jason La Canfora stated in a tweet.
“Despite his strong play, Joe Flacco is currently a free agent who has returned to the CLE practice squad.” On Monday, December 11, La Canfora wrote, “Anyone could sign him.” “Agent Joe Linta stated that he spoke briefly with the Browns on Sunday night, but that’s all for now.” With so much QB need in the NFL, you’d think that would be a high priority for CLE.”
Due to injuries, there are a number of quarterback openings throughout the league, particularly in the AFC North. Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers are both out for the season.
Having said that, the Browns and Flacco are likely in agreement that he will stay in Cleveland, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s signed to the active roster. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Flacco intends to stay in Cleveland.
“Joe Flacco has reverted back to the Browns’ practice squad and, at the same, he also is now eligible to sign with another team’s active roster,” Schefter said in a tweet. “Despite any interest, Flacco wants to remain in Cleveland.”
When asked about the plan with Flacco, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski stated unequivocally that there is one.
“I’d say don’t worry about it,” Stefanski told reporters on Monday. “Because everything will work out.” I wouldn’t get too worked up about it.”
Flacco is coming off a hugely successful second start in Cleveland, which has sparked speculation that other teams are interested in the former Super Bowl MVP. He had 311 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in the game. Cleveland won 31-27 to improve to 8-5.
During the week, Stefanski was tight-lipped about who would start against the Jaguars. He did, however, confirm after Sunday’s victory that they would be riding with Flacco the rest of the way.
“I think you expect him to get better as he gets more comfortable in our system with our players, those types of things,” Stefanski said after confirming Flacco would be the starter in the future. “But we just talked about him and all of our guys doing their job, giving us their best and I thought that’s what he did.”
Joe Flacco says he ‘feels good’ about being named starter.
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks in Cleveland for Flacco. When he signed with the team on November 20, there was no guarantee he’d get any playing time. On November 26, rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was named the starter following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury, suffered a concussion against the Denver Broncos. That made it possible for Flacco to begin. When his number was called, the 38-year-old quarterback took full advantage.
“It feels good when it appears that people believe in you,” Flacco said after the win. “I know I’ve been in a lot of locker rooms, but whenever you walk into a locker room, you still want to gain the respect of everyone, and you don’t know if you have that until you can go out there and win day in and day out.” You try to carry yourself correctly and do everything correctly, but that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be on the field on Sunday. So it feels fantastic to go out there and win. I believe we are accomplishing a lot of good things.”
Flacco has 565 yards passing, five touchdowns, and two interceptions in two games. He has an 83.8 quarterback rating.
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