Former Ravens QB Joe Flacco signing with Browns practice squad

A familiar face is re-joining the AFC North

This past week, the Cleveland Browns hosted former Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco for a workout. Now, two days later, that visit has turned into a signing. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday night that Flacco was signing with the Browns’ practice squad and is likely to be promoted to their active roster.

The Browns found themselves back in the quarterback market following a season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson last week. Watson suffered a fractured shoulder injury in the Browns’ Week 10 victory over the Ravens as well as a high ankle sprain.

Flacco has been on the free agent market this season after the New York Jets did not retain him this past offseason. The 38-year-old spent the past three seasons in New York and started nine total games. Preceding that was his lone campaign with the Denver Broncos in 2019, where the Ravens traded him to following the 2018 regular season.

The former Super Bowl MVP is one of the Ravens’ most decorated players in franchise history. Although he’s more than four years removed from Baltimore, the sight of him dawning a Browns jersey may be an awkward moment for many and difficult reality to accept.

Flacco played 11 career seasons with the Ravens and is the team’s all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns, completions, and quarterback wins. In four seasons since departing from Charm City, he’s appeared in 20 total games, compiling 20 passing touchdowns and over 4,000 yards through the air.

Earlier today, in a three-point win over fellow AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers, the Browns started rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. Veteran P.J. Walker was relegated to backup duties after starting multiple games in-place of Watson this season.

Flacco will add veteran experience to one of the now-youngest quarterback groups in the NFL. Should he be quickly promoted to the active roster, he could find himself in action sometime before the season ends — either in starting capacity or in relief.

The Ravens have already concluded their season series with the Browns for 2023, with the two teams splitting 1-1. The only chance of the Ravens facing Flacco now is if they played the Browns in the postseason and he was under center for Cleveland. The Browns, now 7-3 following their win in Week 11, sit one game behind the Ravens in the division standings.