Joe Flacco has been named the starter for the rest of the season for the Cleveland Browns but the veteran quarterback has yet to be signed to the active roster.
Flacco reverted back to the practice squad on Monday, making him eligible to sign with any team. It’s an unlikely situation, considering all the goodwill and knowledge Flacco has gained during his three weeks in Cleveland. However, it is a possibility, which was laid out by NFL insider Jason La Canfora in a tweet.
“Currently, despite his strong play, Joe Flacco is a free agent who reverted back to CLE practice squad. Anyone could sign him,” La Canfora wrote on Monday, December 11. “Agent Joe Linta said he spoke briefly with Browns [Sunday] night but that’s it for now. You’d think that’d be high priority for CLE w/so much QB need in NFL.”
There are quite a few quarterback openings around the league due to injuries, particularly in the AFC North. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is out for the season and Pittsburgh Steelers starter Kenny Pickett is also set to miss time.
That being said, the Browns and Flacco likely have an understanding that he will remain in Cleveland and it’s only a matter of time before he’s signed to the active roster. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Flacco intends to remain in Cleveland.
“Joe Flacco has reverted back to the Browns’ practice squad and, at the same, he also is now eligible to sign with another team’s active roster,” Schefter tweeted. “Despite any interest, Flacco wants to remain in Cleveland.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about the plan with Flacco and made it clear that they have a plan.
“I’d say don’t worry about it,” Stefanski said Monday. “Because it’ll all work out. I wouldn’t be hung up on this one.”
