QB Joe Flacco returns to the Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 28: Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates during an NFL football game against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

by: Adam Conn

Posted: Apr 11, 2025 / 01:00 PM EDT

Updated: Apr 11, 2025 / 10:48 AM EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The last quarterback to lead the Cleveland Browns into the NFL playoffs is back.

According to the team, the 2023 comeback player of the Joe Flacco has signed a one-year deal with the Browns. Flacco, 40, started the last five games of the 2023 regular season, winning four games and helped Cleveland clinch its first playoff berth since 2020, and only second postseason appearance since 2002.

Flacco completed 123 of 204 passes for 1,616 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Last season in Indianapolis he played in eight games, starting six, and threw for 1,761 yards with 12 TDs and seven picks, though the Colts went just 2-4 in those starts.

Entering his 18^th NFL season, the Browns inked Flacco to a one-year deal worth $4 million, though incentives could earn him as much as $13 million. Cleveland also acquired former first-round QB Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick.

Pickett, from the University of Pittsburgh and first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, was the backup for Super Bowl MVP QB Jalen Hurts last season for the Eagles.

The only other quarterback on the roster is oft injured or ineffective Deshawn Watson, who will miss the 2025 season after tearing his Achilles on Oct. 20, then re-ruptured it in January.