When the Cleveland Browns signed Joe Flacco to their practice squad in late November, I’m not sure if anyone expected him to lead the Browns into the playoffs, but nevertheless, here we are, and it could cause quite the quarterback controversy in Cleveland heading into 2024.
Of course, the Browns’ No. 1 signal-caller is Deshaun Watson, who is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Watson not only has primacy because of his impressive past with the Houston Texans, but also because Cleveland handed him $230 million in guaranteed money upon trading for him in March 2022.
The problem is, Watson has hardly resembled the player he was with the Texans during his limited action with the Browns, leading some to label the Watson trade the worst move in NFL history.
Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac does not think Cleveland will merely give up on Watson, but he does think the club will bring Flacco back for some insurance.
In an article in which Ginnitti predicts the quarterback situations of every NFL squad for next season, he projects that the Browns will re-sign Flacco to a two-year, $12 million deal in order to provide the team with a viable backup. He also suggests that Cleveland convert Watson’s base salary into a signing bonus, which would open up $36 million in cap space for the Browns to add some more pieces.
Flacco has started five games for Cleveland this season, throwing for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 60.3 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 90.2. Most importantly, the Browns have gone 4-1 in those contests.
This past Thursday, Joe Flacco went 19-for-29 with 309 yards, three touchdowns and a pick in a 37-20 win over the New York Jets, helping Cleveland clinch a postseason berth.
If the Browns end up making a deep playoff run, the front office will certainly have an interesting decision to make when it comes to deciding who their starting quarterback for 2024 will be.
But let’s be honest here: barring some unforeseen circumstances, it will almost certainly be Watson. Cleveland isn’t going to pay him that much money to sit him.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
