The Cleveland Browns have faced uncertainty surrounding their quarterback position throughout the off-season. Deshaun Watson, last season’s opening-week starter, remains on the roster and is set to earn a substantial salary for the 2025 season. However, he is currently working through recovery from an Achilles heel injury that prematurely ended his 2024 season, and a setback in his recovery process has cast doubt on whether he will return during the 2025 campaign.
Fans were unsettled earlier this off-season when the Browns completed a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is familiar to Browns fans from his time in Pittsburgh. While many expected Cleveland to round out their quarterback room in the draft, they have now welcomed back a well-known face within the organization, as reported by a prominent league insider. “Reunion: the Cleveland Browns and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco reached agreement today on a one-year, $4 million deal worth up to $13 million with incentives,” his agency (JL Sports) announced to ESPN. Flacco returns to Cleveland, where he was honored as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2023.
“Flacco also spoke with the Steelers and Vikings but opted to spend his 18th NFL season with the Browns,” reported ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday morning. Schefter further noted the quarterback intrigue across teams at the top of the draft: “In the last month, the Browns — holding the No. 2 pick — have added Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, while the Giants — picking at No. 3 — have brought in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.”
It will be intriguing to see how these strategic moves by the Browns and New York Giants will influence the quarterback dynamics in the upcoming draft class.
