Less than two weeks before the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, the Cleveland Browns have made a surprising move. Holding the second overall pick, many anticipated the Browns would select a quarterback, with at least one of Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders expected to be available.
However, that might not be the case, as the team has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran free agent Joe Flacco.
Cleveland Browns Agree to One-Year Deal with Joe Flacco
With the Tennessee Titans appearing increasingly likely to draft Ward with the first overall pick in late April, the second overall pick has become the most intriguing in the draft. That pick belongs to the Browns, whose long search for a franchise quarterback is well-documented.
Still, the team would be reluctant to pass on the opportunity to add an elite prospect, with Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter and Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter likely available. Opinion has been divided throughout the pre-draft process regarding the team’s best course of action.
But Cleveland’s intentions may have become clearer after the announcement that the team had agreed to terms on a one-year deal with 17-year veteran Joe Flacco. The deal is for $4 million, with an additional $9 million possible through incentives.
Reunion: the Cleveland Browns and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco reached agreement today on a one-year, $4 million deal worth up to $13 million with incentives, his agency @JLSports3 told ESPN. Flacco now will return to Cleveland, where he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the… pic.twitter.com/pOaCuhrVmS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 11, 2025
Flacco was the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2023 after leading the Browns to the playoffs. The Super Bowl 47 MVP is largely a pocket passer at this stage of his career but brings significant NFL experience.
Just $4 million is backup money, as is the $2.6 million that Kenny Pickett will earn from the team in 2025 after his trade from the Philadelphia Eagles. While this suggests the team might still be in the market for a quarterback in the draft, the acquisition of Flacco considerably reduces the urgency.
Does Cleveland Still Need to Draft a Quarterback?
Flacco’s addition is interesting because it raises questions about the team’s comfort level with starting either Flacco or Pickett in 2025. Pickett, while no longer considered a top-tier starter, has enough league experience to serve as a bridge quarterback.
It’s possible the Browns had concerns about Pickett and wanted more options heading into 2025 in case their rookie selection didn’t pan out. However, after trading for Pickett, the addition of Flacco casts doubt on the team’s commitment to finding its franchise leader in this year’s draft.
The Browns would likely still consider a top-three quarterback if one were available in the early second round. But adding a second veteran would make little sense if the team knew it was taking a quarterback with its first-round pick. While the team’s options remain open on Day 1, Flacco’s addition is an intriguing move by the AFC North team.