Browns shouldn’t expect Joe Flacco to repeat what he did with the Browns in 2023

Browns 2025 season could go many ways

On Friday, the Cleveland Browns signed fan favorite quarterback Joe Flacco. Of course, the fanbase was immensely excited about the return of the Flacc-Man. Look, we all remember the run Flacco had back in 2023. Was it fun? Yes. However, don’t expect Flacco to repeat what he did in 2023 for this upcoming season.

Earlier, we covered the details of Flacco’s six starts in 2023, including the playoff game. As noted there, there was a lot of excitement but, much like Jameis Winston last year, a lot of turnovers and concern.

However, many are excited about Flacco Fever returning to Northeast Ohio

The team’s social media added their excitement as well:

Not everyone was thrilled, however:

Before I receive too much backlash, allow me to explain.

When the Browns signed Flacco late in 2023, no one expected Flacco to play the way he did. Considering how he was just on his couch, throwing for 300 yards in 4 straight games was impressive. However, it comes with context.

Three of the four wins came against non-playoff teams (with one coming against a Houston Texans team missing their rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud at the time) and two of the losses were against playoff teams. As far as the film goes, he was average at best.

During last off-season, Cleveland decided not to bring Flacco back and the veteran went to the Indianapolis Colts to be the backup for quarterback Anthony Richardson. Flacco made a brief appearance in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers when Richardson left with a hip injury, but he later got the nod to start after Richardson was benched for tapping himself out against the Texans.

The Colts offense was struggling with Richardson, but when Flacco came in, the offense got even worse. The stats and the film back it up:

• Colts offense with Richardson: 0.58 EPA/per play, 37% success rate, 41% run success rate, 37% pass success rate
• Colts offense with Flacco: -8.12 EPA/per play, 33% success rate, 25% run success rate, 36% pass success rate

While the Colts offense had its issues, Flacco playing made the offense much worse than it already was, and the offense had a much lower ceiling.

Expecting Flacco to come in and repeat what he did in 2023 is just an unlikely possibility. Contrary to popular belief, Flacco could make the Browns offense worse instead of making it better. Age aside, his arm strength has started to diminish and his mobility was already gone.

While Cleveland’s quarterback options were slim, going back to Flacco seemed like a fan service move. “Wacko for Flacco” is a cool slogan, but it likely won’t amount to anything significant for the Browns. It’s hard to consider him the bridge quarterback when you look at the contract he signed as well.

Overall, for the fans expecting Flacco to repeat what he did in 2023, just lower your expectations. Or at least attempt to lower them.