CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns quarterback Joe Flacco joined an exclusive club on Wednesday. And no, I don’t mean his nameplate on the Browns’ failed quarterbacks jersey.
Technically, Flacco’s name first appeared there in 2023, when he led Cleveland to the playoffs. And subjectively, I thought any QB with a Browns playoff appearance on his resume earned a passing grade. But just to be sure, in the age of rampant recency bias, I want to reiterate:
Flacco did a lot for this fanbase, even though he hasn’t done much for it lately.
The Browns benched him this week after a 1-3 start that included more turnovers (eight) than touchdown drives (six). And you know what? I. Don’t. Care.
Even if rookie starter Dillon Gabriel ends up running this offense better, even if Gabriel plays well enough for us to wonder why he didn’t play sooner, Flacco will deserve a special place in franchise history.
He’ll fit right next to former running back Peyton Hillis and former quarterback Derek Anderson at Cult Hero Corner, where the monuments are tall, even if the moments are short-lived.
Here’s a question: Do fans remember Hillis better for the 1,654 scrimmage yards he gained in 2010, which led to his EA Sports video game cover? Or do they remember him better for the Madden curse that afflicted him afterward?
Do fans remember Anderson for his 6-10 stint from 2008-2009? Or do they remember him better for the 10-6 record he posted in 2007, which would’ve included a playoff appearance had the Colts summoned enough courage to start Peyton Manning in their season finale?
I think we know the answer. And I hope we know that Flacco deserves the same response.
Of course, in his case, the story runs deeper. For most of Flacco’s career, he tormented Browns fans while playing for the Baltimore Ravens. He finished with a 18-3 starting record against Cleveland over 11 seasons. And if he told you the truth, Flacco would call those his glory days.
The feeling was mutual, by the way. Browns fans loved booing him back then. But it’s hard to summon the same disdain after the 2023 playoff run.
Remember how Flacco revived that season from his couch? Remember all the darts he sandwiched between opposing defenders? Remember all the fans who chanted his name after the Browns scored 37 points —a total they haven’t matched since — against the Jets to clinch a playoff spot?
Keep pinching your wrist. It really happened. Cleveland really fell in football love with 38-year-old Flacco. And really, that’s where this story should’ve ended.
Cleveland figured they wouldn’t need the old man again. A lot of us thought Flacco would retire by now. But the Browns were desperate this offseason. And Flacco didn’t want to stop playing.
So they got back together, those crazy kids. And like many previous seasonal flings, this one wasn’t built to last.
Turns out, the spark Flacco lit across town two years ago is hard to replicate. You can’t harness whatever magic he and Stefanski discovered in 2023. If anything, Flacco’s recent struggles only reinforce how special (and unlikely) his first run was.
But if you know today’s world and you know the NFL, you know two things. First, attention spans are short, especially when your offense isn’t scoring. And no starting job is safe, particularly on a 1-3 team.
During Flacco’s second stint, Browns fans have reflected both realities. They’ve been booing their old fan favorite and clamoring for his benching. They’d rather watch unproven rookie Dillon Gabriel run this offense — not because of their faith in Gabriel, but because any quarterback change is a good change at this point.
How soon they forget. For a month in 2023, Flacco saved Cleveland’s season. For a month two years later, he didn’t play well. And for the record, I think Browns fans know better than to prioritize Flacco’s failures.
But just to be sure, in the age of rampant recency bias, I want to secure Flacco’s monument. Put it next to Hillis and Anderson. And let all three players remind us of the catch with cult heroes.
They’re not supposed to last.
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