(Cleveland) Quarterback Joe Flacco signed with the Cleveland Browns on Monday, giving them depth, experience and an insurance policy after the Ohio team learned that Deshaun Watson was going under the knife and will miss the remainder of the NFL campaign.
Flacco, who is 38, was 18-3 in his career against the Browns. The one who spent most of his career with the Baltimore Ravens should first join their practice team, before being promoted to the regular squad.
Flacco was the MVP of Super Bowl ’47, and he surpassed 42,000 career passing yards in the NFL. He spent the last three seasons with the New York Jets.
At some point, Flacco is expected to get the starting quarterback role for the Browns (7-3), who defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-10 on Sunday. The Browns were then led by rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Thompson-Robinson offered a better performance in his second start, and the Browns’ fifth-round pick completed four consecutive passes during his team’s final offensive sequence to set the table for the game-winning field goal.
With Flacco now with them, the Browns could make more changes at quarterback. They have already offered playing time to their three regular quarterbacks: Watson, Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker, who made two starts and who came in as reinforcement in another game.
The Browns’ defense, one of the best in the league, could allow them to contend for the title, but they will need to get more help from their offense. Head coach Kevin Stefanski could quickly turn to Flacco, who still has a formidable arm after 15 seasons in the NFL.
