Tag: Joe Flacco

Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

QB Joe Flacco, 40, rejoining Browns on one-year deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Joe Flacco is rejoining the Cleveland Browns on a reported one-year, $4 million contract.

The Browns confirmed the agreement Friday and Flacco’s agent, Joe Linta, confirmed the figures to ESPN.

Flacco, 40, spent the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts after earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors with the Browns in 2023.

Flacco, who also met with the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, can earn up to $13 million with incentives, per his agent.

A Super Bowl XLVII MVP with Baltimore, Flacco played his first 11 seasons with the Ravens (2008-18) before moving on to the Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020-22), Browns and Colts.

Heading into his 18th season, Flacco ranks 12th in NFL history in pass completions (4,166), 14th in attempts (6,751), 18th in yards (45,697) and tied for 22nd in passing touchdowns (257). His overall record is 105-86, including a 4-1 mark with the Browns in 2023.

Flacco joins a depth chart in Cleveland that includes the injured Deshaun Watson (Achilles) and newcomer Kenny Pickett, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. Watson could miss most or all of the 2025 season.

The Browns also have the No. 2 overall pick in this month’s draft and have met with top prospects Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart, among others.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) gives a thumbs up before the snap during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Anthony Richardson out; Joe Flacco to start as Colts QB

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Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to ongoing severe back pain, Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters Friday.

“Just didn’t make enough progress this week with the back,” Steichen said of Richardson, who didn’t practice for the second straight week.

Richardson, who missed Week 17’s 45-33 loss to the New York Giants, told reporters Wednesday that he could barely stand up or walk and had to crawl around the house on Dec. 24.

“I’ve been dealing with stuff like this since about eighth grade, but it’s never been this severe,” Richardson said. “It was definitely a little scary last week, not being able to move. But, like I said, I’m standing up now and I’m looking forward to playing this week if I can.”

Veteran Joe Flacco will again take Richardson’s place in Sunday’s matchup against the Jaguars. With Richardson out with an oblique injury when the Colts lost 37-34 to the host Jaguars in Week 5, Flacco started and passed for 359 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 26 of 38 for 330 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the Giants last Sunday.

In addition to the oblique and back injuries, Richardson, the fourth overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft, struggled this season with his accuracy and completed just 47.7 percent of his passes with 12 interceptions. He also threw eight touchdowns, ran for six more and had a 6-5 record as a starter this season.

The loss to the Giants eliminated the Colts from the playoffs, marking the fourth consecutive non-playoff season for Indianapolis.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) passes to Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The pass fell incomplete.

Colts rule out QB Anthony Richardson; Joe Flacco to start

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants because of back and foot injuries.

Richardson did not practice during the week, but head coach Shane Steichen had fallen short of declaring his starter out until Saturday.

Veteran Joe Flacco is expected to make his fifth start of the season in Richardson’s place.

As of early Saturday, the Colts (7-8) still have a shot at a playoff berth, but they’d need to beat the Giants (2-13) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) in Week 18 — and for both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers to lose their games on Saturday — to stay alive.

That Indianapolis even remained in the playoff hunt in Week 17 is surprising, given an unspectacular season from Richardson, who was taken by the Colts with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Richardson, 22, has completed just 47.7 percent of his pass attempts (126 of 264) for 1,814 yards and has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (8). Still, he is 6-5 in 11 starts.

Richardson’s back and foot injuries are not expected to rule him out of Week 18’s matchup against the visiting Jaguars, according to ESPN sources on Saturday.

Flacco, who turns 40 next month, was 1-3 in four starts earlier this year amid both injury and ineffectiveness for Richardson. Flacco has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

Two of the losses were to playoff-bound teams — the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) passes to Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars/USA Today Network via Imagn Images

Colts QB Anthony Richardson questionable vs. Giants

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is questionable to start Sunday’s game against the New York Giants because of back and foot injuries.

Richardson did not practice this week, but head coach Shane Steichen fell short of declaring his starter out.

“We’ll see how next 48 hours go,” he told reporters Friday.

If Richardson, 22, is unable to go, veteran Joe Flacco would make his fifth start of the season.

As of Friday, the Colts (7-8) still have a shot at a playoff berth, but they’d need to beat the Giants (2-13) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) in Week 18 — and for both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers to lose their games on Saturday — to stay alive.

That Indianapolis even remained in the playoff hunt in Week 17 is surprising, given an unspectacular season from Richardson, who was taken by the Colts with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Richardson has completed just 47.7 percent of his pass attempts (126 of 264) for 1,814 yards and has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (8). Still, he is 6-5 in 11 starts.

Flacco, who turns 40 next month, was 1-3 in four starts earlier this year amid both injury and ineffectiveness for Richardson. Flacco has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

Two of the losses were to playoff-bound teams — the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) warms up Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson to start vs. Jets, rest of season

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The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback carousel is turning back to Anthony Richardson.

Two weeks after Shane Steichen told reporters that Joe Flacco will serve as the team’s starting quarterback “going forward,” the head coach reversed course on Wednesday. Steichen tapped Richardson to be under center against the New York Jets on Sunday and for the remainder of the season.

Steichen said that while he talked to owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard, ultimately it was his decision to return Richardson to the starting role.

“We made it very clear to him that he’s our starting quarterback going forward.”

Steichen also said he was pleased with what he saw from Richardson over the last two weeks.

“It’s the attention to detail in everything he does,” Steichen said. “It’s got to be a higher standard. Over the last two weeks, he’s made strides in those areas.”

With Flacco at the controls, the Colts (4-6) saw their losing skid extend to three games following setbacks to the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. The 39-year-old committed six turnovers (four interceptions, two fumbles) in the last two contests.

Flacco was inserted into the starting lineup one week after Richardson completed only 10 of 32 passes (31.3 percent) for 175 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Oct. 27.

During the third quarter of that game, Richardson made the unusual move of taking himself out of the game in the middle of a Colts drive. The 22-year-old later explained that he needed a breather after scrambling on several plays.

Richardson, who missed Weeks 5 and 6 with an oblique injury, has completed only 44.4 percent of his passes for 958 yards with four TDs and seven interceptions in six games this season.

Drafted No. 4 overall in 2023 out of Florida, Richardson’s rookie season ended after just four games due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Flacco has completed 66.5 percent of his passes this season for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

Flacco is 104-85 as an NFL starter with the Baltimore Ravens (2008-18), Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020-22), Cleveland Browns (2023) and Colts. He has thrown for 45,103 yards with 254 TDs and 160 INTs. He was the MVP of Baltimore’s 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15) gets in position against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.

Colts coach: QB Joe Flacco is team’s starting QB ‘going forward’

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Indianapolis Colts veteran Joe Flacco will serve as the team’s starting quarterback “going forward,” head coach Shane Steichen announced Wednesday.

Steichen noted that it’s not just a one-week switch from former first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson to the 39-year-old Flacco.

The Colts (4-4) had won four of their previous five games before dropping a 23-20 decision to the AFC South-leading Houston Texans (6-2) on Sunday.

“I’m just looking where we’re at as a football team, sitting at .500 with a lot of football left,” Steichen said, “and feel that Joe gives us the best chance going forward.”

Flacco will be under center for Indianapolis’ game on Sunday night versus the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) in Minneapolis. Richardson will serve as Flacco’s backup, Steichen said.

Richardson completed only 10 of 32 passes (31.3 percent) for 175 yards with one touchdown and one interception last Sunday against the Texans.

During the third quarter, Richardson made the unusual move of taking himself out of the game in the middle of a Colts drive. He later explained that he needed a breather after scrambling on several plays.

“Tired, I ain’t gonna lie,” said Richardson, 22. “That was a lot of running right there that I did. … So, I just told Shane that I needed a break right there.”

Richardson, who missed Weeks 5 and 6 with an oblique injury, has completed just 44.4 percent of his passes for 958 yards with four TDs and seven interceptions in six games this season.

Drafted No. 4 overall in 2023 out of Florida, Richardson’s rookie season ended after just four games due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

“Not giving up on Anthony by any means,” Steichen said. “He’s a really young player with a ton of talent. He’ll use this time to continue to develop and grow as a professional.”

Flacco was 1-1 in two starts earlier this month against Jacksonville and Tennessee. He has completed 65.7 percent of his passes this season for 716 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception.

Flacco is 104-83 as an NFL starter with the Baltimore Ravens (2008-18), Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020-22), Cleveland Browns (2023) and Colts. He has thrown for 44,652 yards with 252 TDs and 156 INTs. He was the MVP of Baltimore’s 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) walks the sidelines Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts downgrade QB Anthony Richardson to doubtful vs. Jags

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Veteran Joe Flacco is in line to start Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after the Indianapolis Colts downgraded fellow quarterback Anthony Richardson to doubtful.

Richardson was a limited participant in practice all week after sustaining an oblique injury in the Colts’ 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.

Flacco replaced Richardson and completed 16 of 26 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns to preserve the win.

Also on Saturday, the Colts (2-2) downgraded Ryan Kelly (neck) to doubtful to face the Jaguars (0-4) and added cornerback Samuel Womack to the injury report with an illness. He is questionable.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) on the field after a 2024 AFC wild card game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Colts sign veteran QB Joe Flacco

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The Indianapolis Colts made it official Friday with the signing of 2023 Comeback Player of the Year, quarterback Joe Flacco.

Terms were not disclosed but reports last week said the one-year deal to back up starter Anthony Richardson was worth up to $8.1 million.

The 2013 Super Bowl MVP while with the champion Baltimore Ravens, Flacco was out of the league last season until the Browns, amid a rash of injuries to their quarterbacks, signed him to the practice squad on Nov. 20.

Flacco, 38, ended the season as Cleveland’s starter, and the Browns won four of his five regular-season starts, the last four in succession. He threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions in those five games and completed just over 60 percent of his pass attempts.

The Browns, the runners-up in the AFC North, lost 45-14 to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Flacco threw for 307 yards and a touchdown, but he was intercepted twice.

The Colts (9-8) missed the postseason for the third straight season, finishing one game behind the Texans in the AFC South.

In 16 NFL seasons, Flacco has thrown for 43,936 yards, 18th on the all-time list, and 245 touchdowns, with 155 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) on the field after a 2024 AFC wild card game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Joe Flacco, Colts agree to one-year contract

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Joe Flacco, last season’s league Comeback Player of the Year while leading the Cleveland Browns into the postseason, has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

Flacco, who turned 39 years old in January, will serve as the backup and a mentor to Indianapolis’ Anthony Richardson, according to the report by ESPN. Richardson missed 13 games in his rookie season due to injuries. The deal could earn Flacco as much as $8.7 million.

The 2013 Super Bowl MVP while with the champion Baltimore Ravens, Flacco was out of the league last season until the Browns, amid a rash of injuries to their quarterbacks, signed him to the practice squad on Nov. 20.

Flacco ended the season as Cleveland’s starter, and the Browns won four of his five regular-season starts, the last four in succession. He threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions in those five games, and completed just over 60 percent of his pass attempts.

The Browns, the runners-up in the AFC North, lost 45-14 to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Flacco threw for 307 yards and a touchdown, but he was intercepted twice.

The Colts (9-8) missed the postseason for the third straight season, finishing one game behind the Texans in the AFC South.

In 16 NFL seasons, Flacco has thrown for 43,936 yards, 18th on the all-time list, and 245 touchdowns, with 155 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Browns GM: ‘Love’ to have Joe Flacco as QB backup to Deshaun Watson

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Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry is open to the idea of bringing back quarterback Joe Flacco after the veteran helped the Browns reach the playoffs, as he tries to line up a 2024 backup to Deshaun Watson.

“We’d absolutely love to have Joe back,” Andrew Berry said at a press conference Monday. “He’s a good quarterback.”

Flacco, who turned 39 on Jan. 16, was picked up as a free agent after a season-ending shoulder injury to starter Watson. Before Flacco’s arrival, P.J. Walker and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson shared the duties at starter.

The Browns went 4-1 with Flacco in the regular season, as he threw for 300-plus yards in each of the last four games, all wins, to set a franchise record for that streak. He completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Cleveland, the fifth seed, fell to the host Houston Texans 45-14 in the first round of the AFC playoffs on Jan. 13, when Flacco threw for 307 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

“He played winning football for us,” Berry said. “He did a great job of coming in and really playing at a high level that allowed us to go on a run at the end of the year. They played really good football in December — even if maybe we ended a little bit with a thud against Houston in the wild-card round. Really pleased with what Joe did on the field, pleased with who he was as a teammate.”

Berry compared Flacco’s situation to the 2022 season, when Jacoby Brissett started at QB while Watson was suspended for 11 games. Brissett parlayed that solid performance into a free-agent signing with the Washington Commanders in 2023.

The general manager said availability and cost are considerations in building the roster.

“I want to bring all of our good players back, but there are constraints to that,” Berry said. “I’m really kind of both sides of the aisle. Would have no problem having Joe back.”

Bery is open to carrying three quarterbacks on the roster but Watson, with his $230 million contract, is the starter.

“Zero consideration. Zero consideration because of how both individuals are,” Berry said of making anybody but Watson the starter. “It’s not a concern internally at all.”

Thompson-Robinson, with his mobility strong arm, remains in the mix for a QB spot next season.

“In terms of the quarterback room, we’ve always valued the quarterback position,” Berry said. “I think if you look at our history over the last four offseasons, we’ve always been towards the top of the league in backup quarterback expenditures and resources. … I believe backup quarterback is a top-30 position on the roster. We do believe in carrying three.”

–Field Level Media