Quarterback Joe Flacco signs deal to Cleveland Browns' 53-man active roster
BEREA — The least-concerned person about Joe Flacco's roster status with the Browns was the same one whose roster status had everyone up in arms. So the fact the team worked out a deal to sign him to the 53-man roster on Thursday did nothing to alter the quarterback's outward mood.
That's because Flacco, despite spending the last three weeks on the practice squad, never thought he was heading anywhere else.
"I wouldn't have went, though, anyway," Flacco said Thursday. "It's been great here."
The Browns agreed to a deal to add Flacco to the 53-man roster on Thursday. The agreement ended any of the unfounded concerns about their new starting quarterback ending up on another team.
The deal, per a league source, includes $4.05 million worth of incentives. That includes a $75,000 bonus for each win he picks up over the Browns' final four regular-season games.
The Browns (8-5) are currently the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff standings. Should the team qualify for the playoffs, Flacco would make $250,000 for winning a wild-card game, $500,000 for winning a divisional-round game, $1 million for winning the AFC championship and $2 million for winning a Super Bowl.
Flacco didn't indicate any financial reasons for him not to have agreed to a deal with the Browns for the rest of the season. He originally signed with the team's practice squad on Nov. 20.
"I mean, listen, I'm not aware of any of that stuff," Flacco said. "I kind of leave it up to Joe, my agent, and he brushes over it with me real quick and I come up and sign it.
Flacco has been a gameday elevation the last two games, which were starts against the Los Angeles Rams and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He's completed 49 of 89 passes for 565 yards with five touchdowns, two interceptions and a 83.8 passer rating through two games.
The Browns could've elevated him from the practice squad one last time for this Sunday's home game against the Chicago Bears, but would have been forced to sign him to the active roster after that in order to keep him in the organization. According to OverTheCap.com, his contract was a one-year, $370,800 deal.
"I have no idea," Flacco said when asked about the terms. "I haven't looked at my bank account. I don't even know if I've gotten a check yet."
Flacco's future beyond this year remains cloudy. The 38-year-old did not have a single offer to play this season until the Browns called him for a workout after Deshaun Watson was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 15 to have season-ending shoulder surgery.
However, the 16-year pro who was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl 47 while with the Baltimore Ravens knows he still wants to play next season. Where, including Cleveland, that could be is something he's not ready to think about.
"I mean, who knows?," Flacco said. "I'm just taking it day by day still and trying to go out there and do my best on Sundays. … I know I want to play. So me wanting to play is not in question."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Joe Flacco signs deal to Cleveland Browns' 53-man active roster
