It’s impossible to adequately express how much joy Cleveland supporters had seeing Joe Flacco go back in time this season. Deshaun Watson’s absence meant that P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson each had a chance to lead the offence, and although the Browns were still managing to win, the offence lacked firepower.
When Flacco took over in Week 13, it was different. Even though they eventually lost to the Los Angeles Rams on the road, you could tell they were on the verge of discovering something spectacular thanks to the 38-year-old’s 254 yards and two touchdowns passing. By their following match, they had discovered precisely that.
Cleveland defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 31–27 under Flacco’s leadership, marking their first of four consecutive victories. Additionally, Flacco recorded his first of four straight games with 300 yards passing. Flacco never finished a regular season start with the Browns with fewer than two touchdown passes.
He guided his new squad to a 4-1 record while finishing with 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns. He even offered them hope that they might contend for a postseason run, but tragically, that hope did not last long. Their incredible season came to an end when they lost to the Houston Texans, and Flacco had two pick-sixes in the second half of that game.
In 2024, it’s possible that he will make a comeback, although it seems improbable. Deshaun Watson will be fully recovered, and Flacco may be able to find better pay elsewhere. If a bidding battle breaks out, Cleveland, which doesn’t exactly have a lot of cap room, will probably remain with DTR, which would mean saying goodbye to No. 15.
