Report claims Browns won't reunite with former fan-favorite QB

As of Friday morning, the Cleveland Browns didn't know if they'd have Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons, Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers in their quarterback room this spring. Thus, some fans have wondered if Joe Flacco could make a return to the organization. 

"Would the Browns turn to Flacco, the undeniable favorite of the locker room and fan base? Apparently not," team insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand revealed for a piece published Thursday night. "According to a source with knowledge of the situation, 'Joe Flacco is not on the Browns' radar.'"

Flacco became a Cleveland sports hero when he won four of five regular-season starts to guide the 2023 Browns to a playoff berth en route to earning Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award honors for that season. He was eager to re-sign with the Browns in March 2024, but it's now known Cleveland didn't even offer the Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player the minimum NFL contract largely because those running the club were worried Flacco's popularity would negatively impact starter Deshaun Watson.

While it now seems Watson has played his final meaningful down with the Browns, it's also understandable that general manager Andrew Berry isn't in a rush to give Flacco a call this spring. Most recently, Flacco failed to impress in back-to-back November losses with the Indianapolis Colts before they went back to benched starter Anthony Richardson.

Over those two games, Flacco tossed four interceptions, lost two fumbles and took seven sacks. The fact that he turned 40 years old in January also probably isn't doing him many favors this offseason. 

Of course, just because Flacco isn't "on the Browns' radar" heading into St. Patrick's Day doesn't mean the situation won't change by April. There's no sign the Falcons are going to set Cousins free anytime soon, and both Wilson and Rodgers could end up elsewhere depending on decisions made by clubs such as the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. 

With that said, it appears a team that could potentially use some positivity regarding its locker-room culture is passing on a homecoming desired by many paying customers.