Joe Flacco and his camp have put out feelers to see if there is a starting opportunity available, but the Cleveland Browns have not been ruled out.
Flacco went 4-1 with the Browns last season after signing in late November. He passed for more than 300 yards in four consecutive games and had 13 touchdown passes.
Flacco proved that he still has something left in the tank. However, this does not imply that his phone will be flooded with free agency chances. During an interview with Sirius XM radio, Flacco stated that his major goal is to start. However, if that does not happen, Cleveland will be number one on his list.
“I can tell you that, all things equal, Cleveland is definitely the place that I would feel best about,” he remarked. “Then you have to consider whether or not someone will give me a chance to play, as well as all of the other factors that go into it.
“But I can’t help but have a unique feeling about Cleveland, just from the few weeks I spent there and how wonderful the city was. And, at the end of the day, I don’t want that to be a major factor, if not the entire decision. But I believe it will influence my decision, assuming I have one to make.”
Multiple rumors indicate that the Browns and Flacco are interested in reuniting. The two sides met during the combine, and there’s a chance a deal might be reached before Flacco hits free agency.
Flacco is well aware that if he returns to Cleveland, it will be as a backup. Deshaun Watson began throwing this month and will be ready for the start of the season.
“Obviously if I go back to Cleveland, then I’ve wrapped my mind around that idea,” Flacco said about being a backup. “I obviously want to play football. That is also a significant aspect, if not the most important one. But that is what I am saying. I don’t think you can make that decision unless you have some concrete facts in front of you and sit down with your family to figure out what is best.
“There are a lot of factors I could go over with you that will most likely influence my decision. We don’t need to go through all of that right now. So I can honestly say that Cleveland is an incredible location, and it will undoubtedly bear great significance when I make those selections.”
The Browns are focusing on acquiring a veteran backup. Watson lost time last season due to two different shoulder issues, and the team cannot afford to have their season ruined if he loses any more time.
The Browns hope to have three quarterbacks next season. That will include Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who had a tumultuous first season. The fifth-round pick won the backup job in the preseason but went 1-2 in starts after his number was called. Thompson-Robinson still needs time to develop, despite the Browns’ belief in his potential.
“I think there’s certainly, of course, value in experience, but we’ll see how it all shakes out,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told The Athletic. “(Thompson-Robinson) did an excellent job for us.” I believed he improved over the season, as you’d expect from a young kid. So I expect him to make a significant improvement from Year 1 to Year 2.
There are some strong experienced options available for the Browns to examine. Jacoby Brissett and Marcus Mariota have all been discussed as potential replacements if Flacco does not return. Mitch Trubisky was also mentioned as a potential Browns target. However, he agreed to return to the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, March 6.
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