Joe Flacco signs Browns contract, can now play vs. Ravens in playoffs

Quarterback Joe Flacco, after leading the Cleveland Browns to a victory against the Jaguars in his home debut last week, has more than solidified his role as the newest and freshest starting QB of the team.

When the Browns named Flacco their starter for Week 14, they became just the seventh team in the Super Bowl era to have four different quarterbacks start a game in the same season.

Flacco, who was initially signed to a practice-squad deal on Nov. 20, has gone 1-1 in his two starts and can now sleep tight knowing he's in Cleveland for at least the short-term future.

That's because Flacco has just signed a one-year contract worth $4+ million, per reports, on Thursday, Dec. 14. The deal, which is loaded with incentives, will keep Flacco in Baltimore for the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs if the Browns clinch a postseason berth.

This might sound a little bit inconsequential, but the truth is that had Flacco not signed a contract he would have not been able to play anymore for Cleveland. After being initially added to the Browns practice squad, the Dawgs could only elevate him for Sunday games three times, so he ran out of elevations last weekend ruling him out for the remainder of the year.

With starting quarterback Deshaun Watson out for the season due to a right shoulder injury, Flacco will keep starting games for as long as he stays healthy and can stand on one leg considering the putrid position on the active roster, moving him up from the practice squad.

According to a source who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, Flacco can earn $75,000 for each win in the Browns' four remaining regular-season games, $250,000 for a wild-card win, $500,000 for a divisional playoff victory, $1 million for winning the AFC title, and $2 million if the Browns win the Super Bowl.

Flacco could remain in tow for the 2024 season, although his contract only runs through February for now. Asked about that, he simply said, "Who knows? I'm just taking it day by day still and trying to go out there and do my best on Sundays.

"I know I want to play. So me wanting to play is not in question."

The major implication of this contract when it comes to Flacco's former franchise in Baltimore is obvious: the Browns are currently in possession of the fifth seed in the AFC and can still make the playoffs via wild card (assuming the Ravens clinch the AFC North title)... and if both franchises meet in the playoffs then Baltimore will host the Browns and face off against the man who helped the Flock win their second-ever Super Bowl. Time to panic?

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