Joe Flacco, the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year for the 2023 season, will not return home to wait for a call from another franchise.
Flacco and the Indianapolis Colts reached a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million, ESPN reported Wednesday. Flacco gets $4.5 million guaranteed in the deal.
With Gardner Minshew departing for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, the Colts needed another backup for Anthony Richardson, their fourth overall pick last year who suffered a shoulder injury that prematurely ended his rookie season.
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Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first half at NRG Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Flacco didn't start the year with any franchise, but the Cleveland Browns came calling when Deshaun Watson's season ended due to a shoulder injury.
Flacco was signed to the practice squad in late November, and after head coach Kevin Stefanski first tried rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson as Watson's replacement, Flacco earned his first start two weeks later.
JOE FLACCO NAMED NFL COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR AFTER MIRACULOUS CAREER WITH THE BROWNS
What happened was astonishing, as Flacco looked like his Super Bowl self, becoming the first player in league history to throw for over 250 yards and multiple touchdowns in his first five games with a new team.
Flacco was left under center and Stefanski had no training wheels in his playbooks. In his first start, a 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Flacco threw for 254 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Joe Flacco #15 throws the ball against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
But from there, the Browns never lost on their way to a wild card berth. Flacco helped Cleveland to a four-game winning streak, averaging 340.5 yards per game with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He didn't even need to play the final regular season game after clinching the title.
However, the 39-year-old Flacco couldn't keep his playoff streak alive, falling to rookie phenom CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round. Still, Flacco's efforts, which no one saw coming, helped a desperate team reach its playoff goals.
While the Colts certainly hope Richardson can have a healthy 2024 season, knowing that Flacco has his back (and clearly still has something left in the tank) gives head coach Shane Steichen comfort in case Richardson is unable to play at some point. moment.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco reacts after throwing consecutive pick sixes against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Flacco will enter his 17th NFL season, most of which was with the Baltimore Ravens, where he won the Super Bowl in 2013 and was named Super Bowl MVP. He also spent time with the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets.
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