After the magical 2023 NFL season, in which Joe Flacco led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs with an 11-6 record, he's back with the team as an option to become the team's QB1 in a four-man race.
The last time he wore a Browns jersey, Flacco completed 34-of-46 pass attempts, racking up 307 yards and one touchdown. In contrast, he was intercepted twice and sacked four times. The Houston Texans, led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans, ended Cleveland's Cinderella story.
Flacco could have the chance to start from Week 1 and try to lead the Browns while their rookies, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, learn from the Super Bowl champion.
Flacco's growing bond with Sanders has been noticeable, as the veteran quarterback lauded the rookie's work ethic and desire to learn. He made it clear he's not trying to mentor a younger quarterback, but instead wants to lead by example and let them know how things should be done at the highest level.
Cam Newton discussed the relationship between Flacco and Sanders in a "4th&1 with Cam Newton" clip shared on Thursday. The former NFL MVP explained why young quarterbacks fail to make it in the league by trying to rely too much on veterans.
More specifically, he compared Flacco to Tom Brady, a legend who didn't make things easier for newcomers.
"I remember this conversation. It happened virtually, over DM. And I reached out to Tom Brady," Newton said. "We had good banter going across, but it halted when I asked this question: 'Hey yo, bro, I'm trying to link up with you and learn from you.' 'Ah, I'll teach you all the tricks of the trade when I get done.'
"With Joe Flacco, he's saying, 'Hey man, if you bear around me long enough and ask the right questions and you are observant, it'll be right there in front of you. But what I'm not gonna say it's, 'Hey, bro, see all notes right here? There you go.' It's nobody's job to teach you nothing. It's your job to make sure that you learn at your rate."
Brady did some work of mentoring Sanders until he made it to the league. Now, the situation is different and the former Colorado Buffaloes star will need to learn as much as possible from all the people around him in Cleveland.
The rookie quarterback didn't let the draft slide (he was selected with the No. 144 overall pick in the fifth round) get to him, and is ready to prove his value in Cleveland. He'll have to go against Gabriel, Flacco and former first-rounder Kenny Pickett to win the job.
It's unclear who will be the starting quarterback in Week 1, but Flacco appears to have the edge at this moment.
