The Browns may have raised their hands on the NFL Draft plan.
Cleveland is reunited with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco on a one-year $4 million deal. ESPN reported Friday.
With the 2025 NFL Draft 13 days ahead, the Browns are rehabilitating three quarterbacks, an offseason acquisition Kenny Pickett and incumbent starter Deshaun Watson on the Flacco roster.
These three beings come when the second pick owner, the Browns, are expected to win the Heisman Trophy winner and the two-way Phenom Travis Hunter.
Colorado star cornerback and receiver Hunter came in second in the week with a -250 odds on Funday L.
If the Browns are trapped in the Hunter – the Titans are widely expected to take Miami's quarterback comeward on the first pick – which means they have decided to pass Colorado quarterback Chedure Sanders.
Sanders slipped into the draft, rumours escalating that even past the quarterback Needy giants on the third pick, he could slip the draft. The Saint is a bet favorite to land him on the ninth pick.
If the plan is to draft Hunter or draft Pennsylvania Edge Rush Abdul Carter and hand over Sanders, it's alongside the reason the Browns sign a deal that can pay him brilliantly.
There was uncertainty about when Watson will return from Achilles' injured pair, leaving only the most overwhelming pickett as his biggest choice before this move.
Flacco, 40, probably doesn't offer insurance competition for Pickett and Watson.
Watson underwent his second surgery in January to repair his ruptured right Achilles tendon, and the team labelled the possibility of returning “uncertainty.”
“Watson's recovery time and return to playing status are uncertain and likely to miss a significant amount of time during the 2025 season.” The team said in January.
A one-time Super Bowl champion, Flacco will revitalize his career in 2023, replacing bystander Watson in the Browns midseason and return to the franchise that led the playoff run.
He earned the Comeback Player of the Year honor for his efforts, despite appearing in just five games.
Flacco joined the Colts last year but did not achieve the same success, throwing 12 touchdowns for seven interceptions in eight games.
This season he will rank Flacco in the NFL 18th place.
Flacco also had discussions with the Vikings and Steelers on a per ESPN basis, the latter expressing interest while waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision.
