Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco holds no grudges against the New York Jets, his former team, who opted not to re-sign him after last season and also passed on bringing him back when Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury earlier this season.
Flacco and the Browns are set to host the Jets on Thursday night, with an opportunity to secure the team’s first playoff berth since 2020.
“I enjoyed my time while I was there, and it is what it is,” Flacco remarked, reflecting on his tenure with the Jets spanning parts of three seasons. “I’m happy to be where I am, that’s for sure.”
Flacco has started the last four games for the Browns, winning three of them. Cleveland (10-5) currently holds the fifth seed in the playoff picture and boasts a better than 99% chance to make the postseason.
Over the past four weeks, Flacco has thrown for 1,307 yards, the most by any NFL quarterback during that span.
He’s also thrown 10 touchdown passes, tying him with Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams and Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers for the most in the league over that period.
Despite using four different starting quarterbacks this season, the Browns have managed to reach 10 wins, a feat achieved by only seven NFL teams since 1950.
Joe Flacco (Credits: NFL)
Flacco’s contributions have been pivotal since joining the team, particularly after Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury prompted the Browns to sign him from the practice squad.
Last season with the Jets, Flacco started four games, including a memorable 31-30 victory over the Browns in Week 2.
In that game, Flacco threw four touchdown passes, including two in the final two minutes for a stunning comeback win, which he described as the “craziest finish” of his career.
Reflecting on his upcoming game against his former team, Flacco maintained a respectful tone:
“There’s 32 teams in the NFL. They’re just another one. I got a lot of guys over there I really respect and had an awesome few years in that locker room. So a lot of respect for those guys.”
As the Browns prepare for their next game, they will be without rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was placed on injured reserve due to a hip injury.
PJ Walker, who started two games earlier this season, will now serve as Cleveland’s backup quarterback.
