Joe Flacco is officially returning to Cleveland Browns.
The veteran quarterback has agreed to a one-year deal with the Browns worth $4 million, according to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo. The agreement was first reported by ESPN and later confirmed by the team.
Flacco, 40, is no stranger to Cleveland. He played a key role in the Browns’ 2023 playoff run before spending the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts. Now, he rejoins a Browns quarterback room that includes former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett and Deshaun Watson, who continues to recover from injury.
A reunion between Joe Flacco and the Browns comes as little surprise — and makes perfect sense for both sides.
Flacco thrived in head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offensive system during his 2023 stint with Cleveland, posting an impressive 4-1 record as a starter. In fact, the Browns’ offense has looked its most dynamic and efficient in recent years with Flacco leading the charge.
His veteran poise and ability to deliver explosive downfield plays provided a spark that was often missing with other quarterbacks under center, including Deshaun Watson. Flacco’s command of the offense and consistency in stretching the field helped keep the unit balanced and dangerous — a formula Cleveland will look to replicate in 2025.
There’s a strong case to be made that Joe Flacco, the 2023 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year, should have never left Cleveland in the first place. His return for the 2025 season only reinforces that belief.
With Deshaun Watson recovering from a significant Achilles injury — an absence that could extend through most or all of the upcoming campaign — Flacco provides the Browns with a proven, reliable option at quarterback. His new contract is structured with incentives, signaling that the veteran signal-caller stands to earn more only if called upon to start and produce on the field.
Flacco’s arrival likely removes Cleveland from pursuing other high-profile veteran quarterbacks, such as any potential trade scenarios involving Kirk Cousins. However, his presence doesn’t rule out the possibility of the Browns selecting a young quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. If the front office identifies a prospect with long-term potential, Flacco offers the ideal bridge to help develop that player while maintaining the team’s competitiveness in the short term.
