Will Baltimore return be emotional for Browns' Joe Flacco? QB's father tells all

For the first time since the Baltimore Ravens made quarterback Joe Flacco the 18th overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, he will be an opposing player in Baltimore when he serves as the Cleveland Browns' starter at M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday. 

Per ESPN's Jake Trotter and Daniel Oyefusi, Flacco's father believes the 40-year-old signal-caller will be focused on the task at hand on Sunday even though the Ravens will celebrate former Browns owner Art Modell moving that franchise to Baltimore 30 years ago in Week 2 of the ongoing campaign. 

Joe Flacco will have an 'interesting' experience in Baltimore

"I don't think it'll be emotional for him," Steve Flacco said about Joe's mindset heading into Sunday's contest. "Every team is different. So, it's not like he's playing against the guys he was on the team with [the] last year. It won't be quite like that. So, I don't think it'll be emotional. I think it'll be cool, though. I think it'll be interesting to be back there."

Joe Flacco featured for Baltimore from 2008 through the 2018 season, and he earned Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player Award honors after he guided the Ravens to a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in February 2013. 

The Ravens traded Flacco to the Denver Broncos in early 2019 so that Baltimore could go all-in on starting Lamar Jackson. Jackson has since become a two-time regular-season MVP. 

"I do think that he'll appreciate playing this game there," Steve Flacco added about Joe's return to Baltimore. "I don't think there's any question about that. He does appreciate the people there. That part of it will be greatly appreciated, believe me."

Joe Flacco is ready to have fun vs. Baltimore Ravens

As Zac Jackson and Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic noted, Joe Flacco started for the New York Jets against the Ravens for a matchup held at MetLife Stadium in September 2022. Flacco completed 37-of-59 passes for 309 yards with one touchdown and an interception as the Jets suffered a 24-9 loss. 

This time, Flacco likely will receive cheers from grateful Ravens fans before he tosses passes against the Baltimore defense. Meanwhile, Steve Flacco told ESPN that "at least 20 to 30 family members and friends" will attend Sunday's game to cheer on the veteran quarterback. 

"It'll be interesting to go back," Joe Flacco told ESPN. "Honestly, the whole AFC North is a pretty cool place to play, but Baltimore is a really cool place to play. Special fans, they love football. ... It should be a lot of fun, I'm sure."

Browns players previously made it known they felt it was "disrespectful" that Cleveland was a massive 11.5-point underdog against Baltimore. ESPN Bet had the line at 12.5 points as of late Friday morning.