Joe Flacco, last season’s NFL Comeback Player of the Year, has a new home, as he signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
Over the final month of the regular season, Flacco took the Cleveland Browns organization and its fanbase on an incredible run. They won 12 games last year before losing in the first round to the Houston Texans.
Flacco was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year but wasn’t retained for 2024, with the Browns opting to sign Jameis Winston.
With rookie Anthony Richardson being hurt most of last year, the Colts need to have a proven veteran who can step in.
Full Contract Details for Joe Flacco
For much of last year, Flacco wasn’t even on an active roster. He was on the Browns’ practice squad until they signed him off on Dec. 14. He is 39 years old and isn’t being brought in to battle for a starting spot. As a matter of fact, if things go how the Colts want them to next year, he won’t even see the field.
Former Browns QB and NFL Comeback Player of the Year winner Joe Flacco reached agreement with the Indianapolis Colts, per sources. It’s a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million, including $4.5 million guaranteed. Flacco to Indy. pic.twitter.com/e9aNkQGfaG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2024
It puts Flacco, though, in a great situation. He has a chance to mentor a young but extremely talented quarterback with a similarly big arm.
The Colts also have some good young talent, so if he had to step in and play, the cupboard isn’t bare.
His contract is very incentive-heavy, as only $4.5 million of the $8.7 million is guaranteed. The only way he can get to that high number is if he plays a lot. The Colts aren’t taking a huge risk in this, as it is just a one-year contract.
Comparing Joe Flacco’s Deal to Other QBs
The quarterback position this year is all over the place regarding the contracts that quarterbacks are getting. Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Baker Mayfield also signed a big contract, getting three years and $100 million.
Those are guys whose franchises envision them as their go-to quarterback. Flacco isn’t that type of guy anymore, so you can’t compare those contracts. Some other veterans like Jameis Winston and Jacoby Brissett are in a similar boat.
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Brissett signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the New England Patriots, while Winston signed a one-year, $4 million deal that could turn to $8.7 million. All these quarterbacks have the same role: be the veteran on a team but be ready in case the starter goes out.
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