Browns free agent Joe Flacco: 'All things equal,' then 'Cleveland is definitely the place'

Joe Flacco has put his own words behind multiple reports that, if it is just up to him, the NFL's 2023 Comeback Player of the Year would like to re-sign with the Browns.

“I can tell you that, all things equal, Cleveland is definitely the place where I’d feel best about,” the 39-year-old quarterback told SiriusXM NFL Radio Wednesday. “Now, then you have to get into the world of, is someone actually going to give me a chance to play? And all the different things that go into that.

"But I can’t help but have a special feeling about Cleveland, just because of the few weeks that I spent there and how great the city was. And, listen, at the end of the day, I don’t necessarily want that to be a huge part (or) all of the decision. But I do think it will factor into the decision, if I end up having a decision to make."

The Browns and Flacco's agent, Joe Linta, spoke at the NFL combine last week in Indianapolis. The free-agency negotiating window opens at noon Monday, with players allowed to sign with teams when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. next Wednesday.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry has indicated a willingness to bring Flacco back. However, he's also couched all of those remarks within the context of the backup quarterback market.

"I should start by saying this: We'd absolutely love to have Joe back," Berry said during his end-of-the-season news conference Jan. 22. "He's a good quarterback, but I guess maybe a little bit similar to Jacoby (Brissett) last year. It depends, right? I want to bring all of our good players back, but there are constraints to that. I'm really kind of both sides of the aisle but would have no problem having Joe back."

Flacco's name has been floated as an option in other markets, most notable as a potential bridge starting quarterback for the New England Patriots. That would reunite him with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who the Browns let go after last season and was hired by the Patriots.

If Flacco were to re-sign with the Browns, he would be doing so with an understanding that he would be the backup. Deshaun Watson, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last November, was expected to resume throwing this month, and will be the starter going into the season.

“Yeah, listen, obviously if I go back to Cleveland, then I’ve wrapped my mind around that idea,” Flacco told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Obviously, I want to play football. That’s also a really, really, really big factor — probably the biggest factor. But that’s what I’m saying. I don’t think you can really make that decision without any hard things laid in front of you. And you sit down with your family and you see what’s best.

"There’s all kinds of things I could take you through that would probably have a factor in my decision. We don’t need to go through all those right now. I can honestly say Cleveland is an unbelievable place and it definitely will hold special value when I make those decisions.”

Flacco did not sign with an NFL team during the 2023 offseason and did not get a workout until the Browns brought him in for one on Nov. 10 after Watson's injury. The former Super Bowl Most Valuable Player was originally signed to the practice squad on Nov. 20.

The 16-year pro took over the starting quarterback job in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Rams after Dorian Thompson-Robinson sustained a concussion the previous week. Flacco, after losing his Browns debut, won his next four starts, throwing for more than 300 yards in each to help Cleveland secure just its third playoff berth since 1999.

Flacco, who completed 60.3% of his passes for 1,616 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in the regular season, struggled in the AFC wild card loss at the Houston Texans. Although he passed for 307 yards and a touchdown, he also threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Joe Flacco says he'd 'feel best' about Browns if 'all things equal'