Will Browns GM Andrew Berry Consider Bringing Back Joe Flacco?

Joe Flacco gave Browns fans a wild ride during his six starts late in the season and into the playoffs, but with Deshaun Watson expected back as the team's starter next fall, Flacco's future with the franchise is unknown.

It's one of the biggest burning questions facing the Browns this offseason: will Joe Flacco be back in 2024?

Well, the short answer, from Browns VP of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry, is that a decision on Flacco is to be determined.

Speaking for the first time since Cleveland's disappointing, early exit from the postseason last weekend, Berry didn't close the door on a possible reunion with the 39-year-old signal caller. He didn't leave it all the way open though either.

"We'd absolutely love to have Joe back, he's a good quarterback" Berry said. "But I guess maybe a little bit similar to Jacoby Brissett last year, it depends. I want to bring all of our good players back, but there are constraints to that – on really both sides of the isle – but would have no problem bringing Joe back."

Berry's reference to Brissett is a reasonable comparison. Last season, Brissett was brought in to start for Cleveland while Deshaun Watson served an 11-game suspension and produced one of the best individual campaigns of his career. By posting a 64-completion percentage, 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions, he earned himself an opportunity to compete for a starting job in Washington. 

Flacco could face a similar courtship this offseason after racking up 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in five regular season starts, helping propel the Browns to a playoff berth. His play fueled a magical run for Cleveland, and may have revived interest in Flacco's services around the league. The market for the ex-Raven is to be determined, but the Browns certainly learned first hand the value of having a reliable backup quarterback this year, becoming the first team to start four different quarterbacks and make the playoffs.

That's a position Berry emphasized the organization places a lot of stock in.

"We've always valued the quarterback position," Berry said. "I think, probably if you look at our history over the last four offseasons we've always been toward the top of the league in backup quarterback expenditures and resources, whether it was Case Keenum the first two years, Jacoby last year and then even this year with Joshua Dobbs and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. I believe that backup quarterback is really is a top 30 position on the roster and we do believe in carrying three and that's something that we'll probably do moving forward."

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Berry wasn't willing to divulge if rookie fifth-round pick Thompson-Robinson would enter next season as the primary backup if Flacco doesn't return. He did make it very clear though that they'll have three quarterbacks on the roster, per usual. 

Given Flacco's fast rise to stardom in Cleveland, there does seem to be an emotional attachment – at least from the fan base – in retaining him. The love a affair with Flacco from Browns fans could bring some added pressure for Watson though, if the Super Bowl champion is breathing down his neck. Berry expressed that wouldn't be something that prohibited them from re-signing Flacco.

"Zero consideration," Berry stated. Zero because of how both individuals are. It's not a concern internally at all.