Elijah Moore’s injury has impacted Joe Flacco’s role in the Cleveland Browns’ successful playoff trip.
The veteran quarterback, who has been playing well for the Cleveland Browns lately, will now take on his old team, the New York Jets, on Thursday Night Football. During what may be considered his “revenge game” against the Jets, Flacco said, “I enjoyed my time while I was there, and it is what it is,” according to ESPN. “It’s true that I’m content with where I am.”
After a dismal three-year tenure in New York from 2020 to 2022, Flacco was not re-signed by the Jets at the beginning of the current campaign.The 38-year-old therefore began the NFL season without a team, and it appeared for a while that things might remain that way.
After only four plays in his New York debut, Aaron Rodgers, the Jets’ major offseason acquisition, tore his left Achilles tendon, and Flacco hasn’t been asked back into action yet. Zach Wilson, who the team has a lot of faith in since he was selected second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, was instead selected by the Jets.
Flacco does, however, note that he views Thursday’s game as just another one.”The NFL consists of 32 teams. They’re simply one more, Flacco continued. “I had an amazing few years in that locker room with a lot of guys I really respect.” Much respect for those folks, then.After being passed over by the Jets, Flacco didn’t have to wait long to be called up to an NFL squad in a season where starting quarterback injuries have been commonplace.
Deshaun Watson, who suffered from injuries throughout the season, was a starter for the Browns at the beginning of the season. Watson had shoulder surgery and was sidelined for the season by mid-November.Cleveland went to PJ Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who also sustained a head injury, in his place. On November 20, Flacco was added to the Browns practice squad as a way to strengthen their quarterback core.
He didn’t last long, though, as on December 3 he made his Cleveland debut away against the Los Angeles Rams. With the Browns, Flacco has already started four games and led the team to a 3-1 record. Flacco has thrown for a combined-high four touchdowns and more yards (1,307) than any other quarterback over those four games.
With an amazing 10-5 record, Cleveland is currently ranked fifth overall in the American Football Conference and second in the AFC North. According to the NFL Playoff Picture, the Browns are practically guaranteed to make the playoffs, and Flacco’s skill and experience have been essential to their late-season success.
With a victory over the Jets on Thursday Night Football, the Browns can guarantee their place in the postseason, and head coach Kevin Stefanski expressed his excitement for his squad to do so.