Joe Flacco, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year for the 2023 season, has no plans to return home to wait to hear from another team.
Flacco and the Indianapolis Colts have reached a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million, ESPN reported Wednesday. Flacco is guaranteed $4.5 million in this contract.
With the departure of Gardner Minshew to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, the Colts needed more backup for last year’s No. 4 overall pick, Anthony Richardson, who had his rookie season prematurely ended with a shoulder injury.
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Cleveland Browns No. 15 Joe Flacco celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
Flacco didn’t start the year with any franchise, but when Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, the Cleveland Browns came calling.
Flacco was signed to the practice squad in late November, and after head coach Kevin Stefanski first tried out rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson to replace Watson, Flacco made his first start two weeks later.
Joe Flacco named NFL Comeback Player of the Year for miraculous run against Browns
It’s surprising what happened, since Flacco resembled his Super Bowl self, becoming the first player in league history to throw for over 250 yards and multiple touchdowns in his first five games with his new team. It was something that should have been done.
Flacco slotted under center, and Stefanski didn’t have training wheels in his playbook. In his first start, a 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Flacco threw for 254 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Joe Flacco #15 throws the ball against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Gregory Shams/Getty Images)
But from then on, the Browns never lost until they earned a wild-card spot. Flacco averaged 340.5 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions per game, helping Cleveland win four straight. After he got the win, he didn’t even have to play in the final game of the regular season.
However, the 39-year-old Flacco was unable to maintain his winning streak in the playoffs, losing in the Wild Card round to phenom rookie CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans. Still, Flacco’s efforts, which no one expected, helped a desperate team reach its playoff goal.
The Colts certainly hope Richardson can stay healthy for the 2024 season, but knowing that Flacco is backing him up — and he clearly still has power left — Richard It will be a consolation to head coach Shane Steichen if Son is unable to play at any time.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco reacts after throwing consecutive picks No. 6 against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Houston. . (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Flacco is in his 17th NFL season, most of which was spent with the Baltimore Ravens, who won the Super Bowl in 2013 and were named Super Bowl MVP. He also spent time with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets.
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