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 at all times good, at all times constant in his prime, however by no means fairly elite.
He by no means obtained 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 little one.
He was beloved — nonetheless is — by a big portion of the fan base in Baltimore, but he was at all times 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 may have made it sound believable. A quarterback that hasn’t been good in a decade occurring such a 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 checks for everybody.
Flacco is getting all the credit score now simply weeks shy of his thirty ninth birthday. He has shortly 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 exterior of Myles Garrett is on a gold jacket monitor at this level. Right here, Flacco is identical as he’s at all times been. He’s the grownup, the skilled who simply quietly goes about his enterprise. There’s no drama, no cloud of controversy. He simply exhibits 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 center 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 positively been just a little 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 at all times be a Cleveland folks hero. He can 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 taking part in in a postseason recreation, he has exceeded expectations partly as a result of there have been none when he arrived. His three wins in 4 video games right here match the entire 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 night time, and with in addition to Flacco has performed in Cleveland, clearly, New York executives would most likely like a mulligan on how they dealt with this season after Aaron Rodgers’ torn Achilles. The Jets and Browns started the 12 months with related 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 assumed rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson ought to stay the starter. Primarily based on his report and numbers since leaving Baltimore, and the actual fact no staff known as him for the primary 12 weeks of the season, Flacco appeared like nothing greater than the emergency possibility for a staff 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 tough to see how the Browns may 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 just a few million in wage when each greenback counts on their cap?
That is Watson’s staff. His ironclad contract makes it so, and fortunately, after just a few bumpy stretches, the final reminiscence we’ve got was him going 14-for-14 within the second half (with a damaged shoulder) to beat a Ravens staff that appears like the most effective within the league right now. Watson stays the final quarterback to beat Baltimore and he did it on the highway.
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 may 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 determine, 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 journey wherever it blows.
When it’s over, it’s actually over.
(Photograph: Cooper Neill / Getty Pictures)