Report: Colts to Land Reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year

The Indianapolis Colts made it clear they want experience at the backup quarterback position, signing one of the best.

The Indianapolis Colts officially have their new backup quarterback for 2024. NFL Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafalo reported the breaking news.

The NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year is coming back to the NFL. QB Joe Flacco has agreed to terms with #Colts, sources tell @RapSheet, @TomPelissero and me. pic.twitter.com/UU7Ke4FJf9

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2024

Mike Garafolo provided the information in a post on X:

"The NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year is coming back to the NFL. QB Joe Flacco has agreed to terms with #Colts, sources tell @RapSheet, @TomPelissero and me."

NFL Insider Adam Schefter also displayed the value of bringing Flacco's services to Indianapolis. 

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

Schefter displayed it on X: 

"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."

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This update on Joe Flacco is surprising news, as many believed Indianapolis passed on current Las Vegas Raiders field general Gardner Minshew because he'd be too expensive. However, the Colts have made it clear that they aren't messing around when it comes to a quarterback insurance policy for Anthony Richardson.

Flacco is a former Super Bowl XLVII champion and MVP for the Baltimore Ravens and a 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Winner with the Cleveland Browns. Last season, Flacco was as explosive as any passer and led Cleveland to the playoffs, posting 123/204 completions for 1,616 passing yards and 13 passing scores. While Flacco doesn't possess much mobility, he makes up for it with fast ball placement underneath and high-level arm strength over the top. This type of QB, if called upon, will still level the talents of pass-catchers like Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs; Flacco also helps the backfield led by Jonathan Taylor. 

It could be why the Colts figured Flacco fit, given that Minshew didn't have much arm strength for the Indy offense in 2023. Even with this backup quarterback contract being a bit more expensive for relief work, it does provide Richardson with the best advice a young passer can receive from a championship-level field general. 

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