Colts' Joe Flacco addresses controversial Browns exit

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco seems happy to have a new home with the Indianapolis Colts this spring but admitted on Friday he was a "little bit" surprised he didn't return to the Cleveland Browns this offseason. 

"When you have something that you love to do and you enjoy putting in the work and all that, I don't know too many people that would give that up to try to go do something else or figure out what else that may be," Flacco said on Friday about agreeing to be the primary backup for Indianapolis second-year pro Anthony Richardson, per Nick Shook of the NFL's website. "I have no idea what else that would be. One day we'll figure that out."

Flacco remained unsigned from last offseason through the fall until the Browns lost starter Deshaun Watson to a season-ending shoulder injury in November. 

The Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player quickly became a beloved Cleveland sports figure and ultimately guided the Browns to a playoff berth by winning four of five regular-season starts. He later made it known throughout the winter he'd happily return to Northeast Ohio if he failed to land a starting job in free agency. 

"It was obviously a little bit different than last offseason, when I didn't get any calls at all," Flacco explained about hitting the open market this month. "But even this offseason, I wasn't really sure how it was going to go. It wasn't like I played a ton of games last year or anything like that, but definitely grateful for Indy to reach out and have this as an opportunity."

The Browns chose Jameis Winston over Flacco for their QB2 role, and team insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand subsequently reported that the AFC North club "did not even offer Flacco the minimum NFL contract." 

Grossi and others have also left little doubt that at least some within the Browns were worried that Flacco would "cast a shadow" over Watson and "complicate his job" during the 2024 season because of the 39-year-old's popularity among fans and Cleveland players. 

That's no longer a concern. 

Browns supporters may wonder throughout this coming fall what could have been had the club re-signed the reigning Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year, as it certainly appears Flacco wanted to extend his relationship with the team beyond six total games (including the playoffs). 

As for Watson, the Browns could explore moving on from him next winter if he again fails to relocate the form that made him a three-time Pro Bowl selection while with the Houston Texans.