Joe Flacco Describes Football Analyst Tryout, Before Joining Browns

Browns QB Joe Flacco's shares his side of the story about pursuing a job on Inside the NFL and why he's happy doing what he's doing, not being an analyst

Joe Flacco has been adamant that he's just trying to live in the moment, and enjoy the opportunity that's in front of him to play the game he loves.

However, as retired Steelers safety, Ryan Clark shared on ESPN this week, this opportunity to quarterback the 8-5 Cleveland Browns on their quest for a postseason berth almost didn't happen.

That's because Flacco, 38, actually tried out for a gig working alongside Clark – who's carved out a nice post-NFL career as an analyst – on the C.W.'s Inside the NFL, which Clark hosts once a week with former NFLers Channing Crowder, Jay Cutler, Chad Johnson and Chris Long.

Flacco ultimately wasn't chosen for the gig, and looking back he's actually grateful not to have been.

"I really don't want to have to ever do that," Flacco said. "15 years ago I would have told you 'no chance at all,' there days I think you at least entertain the option. I don't know if y'all know me at all but the last thing I ever want to do with my life."

In his postgame speech to the team following the Browns 31-27 win over the Jaguars, Flacco expressed the childlike joy he felt playing football alongside his teammates. Since joining the team a little over three weeks ago, Flacco hasn't been shy about how desperately he wanted to return to the environment he's now in. He's also been adamant that he has something left in the tank, which has been on full display for Browns fans over the last two weeks.

He much prefers playing football, but Flacco knows his playing days are fleeting. Even if being a football analyst on TV isn't top of the list of things he wants to do in retirement, the former Ravens QB still feels it was a valuable experience to give it a try.

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  "It was good to go feel it out, see if it was something that you'd be interested in doing, could get better at whatever it may be. 15 years ago it would have been a hard no. It still took some convincing to get me over there but in the end it was probably an experience worth having."