Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco isn't expected to return to the team in 2024, according to a report from The Athletic. Flacco salvaged the Browns' campaign after starting quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury. Flacco quickly mastered Kevin Stefanski's offense by leading the Browns to four consecutive victories to end the regular season, a streak that helped clinch a playoff berth. The Browns averaged 31 points per game throughout that stretch.
Flacco has announced his intention to continue playing, but the Browns have too much invested in Watson to risk a quarterback controversy. Flacco’s 2023 season proves that he’s still a high-level backup or the ideal bridge-type starting quarterback for a team with a young player at the position. With recent reports in mind, we’ve identified three ideal fits for Flacco in free agency.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Patriots should draft a quarterback with the No. 3 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Whether that's Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, or even J.J. McCarthy remains to be seen, but new head coach Jerod Mayo should replace Mac Jones with a promising young signal caller. Jones is expected to be traded this offseason, potentially opening the door for a veteran backup to help the young draft pick acclimate to the next level.
Bailey Zappe isn't experienced enough to be that guy. There's also a fairly notable connection between Flacco and the Patriots' new staff. Mayo hired Alex Van Pelt as his offensive coordinator. Stefanski is the play-caller in Cleveland, but Van Pelt coordinated the Browns' offense that Flacco looked so comfortable in just weeks ago.
NEW YORK JETS
This would be objectively hilarious, but there's a non-zero chance the Jets consider it. Flacco has already enjoyed two separate stints with the Jets, first in 2020 and again in 2021-2022. Had the Jets signed Flacco after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1, there's a decent chance they'd have salvaged their season as Cleveland did.
General manager Joe Douglas instead decided to use that period as a trial run for first-round bust Zach Wilson, who confirmed he wouldn't be Rodgers' successor through his inconsistent play. Wilson is now expected to be traded or released this offseason, and Douglas will be in the market for a new No. 2. Perhaps the Jets add a young QB here, but if Douglas learned his lesson, he'll acquire a better backup quarterback a la Flacco this summer to protect against another Rodgers injury.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
What the Vikings will do at quarterback this offseason remains a mystery. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could re-sign Kirk Cousins and keep his core together. Or he could draft a quarterback like McCarthy or Michael Penix Jr., although landing the former may require a trade-up from No. 11 overall.
If the Vikings want to pair a second-or-third-round quarterback (like Bo Nix or Spencer Rattler) with a veteran, there are far worse choices than Flacco. In Minnesota, Flacco would be inheriting an exciting supporting cast that features Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Flacco would keep the Vikings competitive in 2024.
