Earlier this week, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson posted a video of him working out as he rehabs from the torn ACL that ended his season early in 2024. The No. 12 pick in the 2017 draft said he planned to come back better than ever.
“The performance comes when your back is against the wall,” Watson said via his Instagram. “It comes better because you kind of really got to lock in. You don’t have anything to lose. Everyone is doubting me. Everyone don’t believe in me, everyone don’t think I can get back to where I was.
“But I know, and I believe the work that I put in, that I believe in myself. The peace that I’ve been channeling the last couple of months. I know, I’m gonna be way better than before.”
On Friday, the Browns sent another message to Watson that his time is short in Cleveland. (Owner Jimmy Haslam recently said the trade for Watson was a mistake.)
The Cleveland Browns signed Joe Flacco
Per ESPN‘s Adam Schefter, the Browns agreed to a one-year deal with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco worth $4 million.
“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,” Schefter posted on X. “Flacco now will return to Cleveland, where he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023.
“Flacco also spoke with the Steelers and Vikings but opted to spend his 18th NFL season with the Browns.”
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 had success with the Browns in 2023
Flacco earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2023 for his performance in Cleveland. The Browns signed Flacco to the practice squad on Nov. 20 of that season when Watson suffered a season-ending injury.
Flacco led the Browns to the playoffs going 4-1 as a starter and throwing for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Flacco wanted to return to Cleveland in 2024, but the Browns feared that if Watson struggled in the early season, it would cause a quarterback controversy. Head coach Kevin Stefanski was repeatedly asked about benching Watson regardless last season.
Flacco wound up signing with the Indianapolis Colts, appearing in eight games and starting six. He went 2-4 with the Colts, throwing for 1,761 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Now Flacco has a chance to battle for a starting job with Watson (if he’s healthy) and former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett. There’s no pretending Watson is the undisputed leader of the team.
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