BEREA, Ohio — No person goes to really feel sorry for Joe Flacco. He’s gained a Tremendous Bowl MVP and made greater than $175 million in his profession. He’s profitable at life.
And but …
There’s simply one thing about Flacco’s 16 years within the NFL that has been gnawing at me whereas watching this unimaginable last-chapter renaissance. He was all the time good, all the time constant in his prime, however by no means fairly elite.
He by no means acquired a single MVP vote however Carson Wentz, Derek Carr and Tony Romo did.
He by no means even appeared in a Professional Bowl. He was invited as soon as however handed as a result of his spouse was due with their third baby.
He was beloved — nonetheless is — by a big portion of the fan base in Baltimore, but he was all the time overshadowed by Corridor of Famers like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. That Ravens protection nonetheless sometimes will get the majority of the credit score for his Tremendous Bowl ring.
That’s why what’s occurring right here is so absurd, no script author within the NFL or Hollywood might have made it sound believable. A quarterback that hasn’t been good in a decade happening any such heater? Throwing for greater than 300 yards in three consecutive video games for the primary time in his profession, main the league in passing yards since turning into the Browns’ starter in Week 13 and tying for the league lead in landing passes throughout that point, too?
Drug assessments for everybody.
Flacco is getting all the credit score now simply weeks shy of his thirty ninth birthday. He has rapidly captured the eye and admiration of a metropolis that was as soon as divided by the Deshaun Watson commerce.
NFL leaders since Week 13:
Passing yards:
1. Joe Flacco 1,307
2. Jake Browning 1,288
3. Brock Purdy 1,179Passing TDs:
1t. Joe Flacco 10
1t. Brock Purdy 10
1t. Matthew Stafford 10— Dan Murphy (@DMurph_BrownsPR) December 26, 2023
He’s once more surrounded by a wonderful protection, however nobody right here outdoors of Myles Garrett is on a gold jacket monitor at this level. Right here, Flacco is similar as he’s all the time been. He’s the grownup, the skilled who simply quietly goes about his enterprise. There’s no drama, no cloud of controversy. He simply reveals up, does his job and meets his obligations on daily basis.
Now within the twilight of his profession, in a city that detests all issues related to the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco has stolen the guts of a metropolis determined for somebody to like. That is Rocky being cheered in Russia or Jeter receiving a standing ovation in Boston.
“The town’s been unbelievable. I can’t say sufficient about how welcoming everyone has been,” Flacco mentioned Tuesday. “Simply coming from Baltimore for many of my profession … It’s undoubtedly been somewhat bit surreal when it comes to how individuals have handled me round right here.”
If that is his profession victory lap, Flacco ought to take his time getting across the monitor. Embrace all of it. No matter how this ends, he has already completed sufficient to all the time be a Cleveland people hero. He shall be welcomed again and cheered right here the best way the group roars for Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson at Cavs video games and for Rajai Davis at Guardians video games. With out even enjoying in a postseason sport, he has exceeded expectations partially as a result of there have been none when he arrived. His three wins in 4 video games right here match the whole from his final 4 years as an NFL starter.
Since leaving Baltimore, Flacco was 3-14 in 17 NFL begins in Denver and New York. He’s 3-1 in Cleveland.
Make it make sense.
With the Jets coming to city Thursday evening, and with in addition to Flacco has performed in Cleveland, clearly, New York executives would in all probability like a mulligan on how they dealt with this season after Aaron Rodgers’ torn Achilles. The Jets and Browns started the 12 months with comparable rosters and expectations. Each had been playoff contenders in a crowded AFC and each misplaced their quarterbacks early. The Jets collapsed, and the Browns have thrived.
After they signed Flacco, I believed rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson ought to stay the starter. Primarily based on his report and numbers since leaving Baltimore, and the actual fact no group referred to as him for the primary 12 weeks of the season, Flacco seemed like nothing greater than the emergency possibility for a group that has been on the cellphone with 911 fairly a bit this season.
Then Thompson-Robinson suffered a concussion at Denver and Flacco instantly started exceeding everybody’s expectations to the purpose now he has completed too good of a job. It’s troublesome to see how the Browns might deliver him again subsequent 12 months. Do they actually need to commit three spots on the 53-man roster to quarterbacks? Do they need to give Flacco a number of million in wage when each greenback counts on their cap?
That is Watson’s group. His ironclad contract makes it so, and fortunately, after a number of bumpy stretches, the final reminiscence now we have was him going 14-for-14 within the second half (with a damaged shoulder) to beat a Ravens group that appears like the most effective within the league right this moment. Watson stays the final quarterback to beat Baltimore and he did it on the street.
Thompson-Robinson was drafted to be the long-term backup behind Watson. None of that has modified. Flacco’s presence right here subsequent 12 months might solely threat dividing a locker room the primary time Watson struggles. For a quarterback this near 40, it simply isn’t value it. The sequel isn’t higher than the unique. Whether or not Flacco desires to play once more subsequent 12 months or not is for him to resolve, however it may possibly’t be in Cleveland.
So take pleasure in this for what it’s: A outstanding story, the most effective within the NFL proper now. And a extremely revered veteran receiving his due.
The Browns have caught a hurricane in a handbasket. Maintain on tight and benefit from the trip wherever it blows.
When it’s over, it’s actually over.
(Photograph: Cooper Neill / Getty Photos)
