It doesn’t seem that long ago that the infamous parroted quote escaped the Cleveland Browns’ front office and leaked into the ears and mouths of the media after Chris Mortensen reported they were seeking “an adult” at quarterback after moving on from Baker Mayfield. They of course eventually moved onto perhaps the least adult person in the league in much maligned quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has been nothing short of a failed experiment to this point, and it is still going to be a move they have to wrestle with in the coming seasons once he returns from injury.
For now the Browns have suddenly found the perfect version of what they were seeking, seemingly on accident with the sudden re-emergence of quarterback Joe Flacco.
Joe Flacco for MVP
pic.twitter.com/VqZ7OUvqfN— PFF (@PFF) December 24, 2023
There was absolutely no one in the league that could see what was coming when Cleveland made the decision to sign Flacco to their roster and hand him the reins. More than anything the move read as a “veteran who won’t lose you games” and a hope that the old guy could keep your talented roster afloat. Given Flacco’s play in the last few weeks it is apparent that the opposite is true. Flacco is winning the games with big time throws and “f*ck it we ball” attitude of a veteran quarterback on his final run.
In his four starts with the team this Cleveland offense has looked better than it has since Baker Mayfield left the building. This has resulted in a 3-1 record with Flacco under the helm and three straight games with more than 300 yards passing in big time wins. Is Flaccon playing perfect football? Is he the second coming of Peyton Manning’s late stint? Not really, no. However Cleveland is asking him to be that, and as the season goes on they understand how this wily quarterback can operate in this offense. With an elite offensive line, a productive running game, and apparently plenty of down the field threats, Kevin Stefanski has adapted this offense to allow Flacco’s confidence and leadership flourish.
JOE FLACCO IS ELITE
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 24, 2023
With Flacco now under the helm for the remainder of the season, the entire NFL fandom is going to be quietly rooting for the biggest of underdog stories and answering the age old question, “Can old dogs learn new tricks”?
Flacco is currently the oldest dog at his position and it seems he has a quite a few new tricks the rest of the league wasn’t ready for. With a quarterback playing football like a kid again and leaving it out on the field, Cleveland has found it’s best shot for the Super Bowl, and ironically enough the “adult” they were looking for all along.
