The Browns could have tipped their hand about their NFL draft plans.
Cleveland is reuniting with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco on a one-year, $4 million deal that may be price as much as $13 million with incentives, ESPN reported Friday.
With the 2025 NFL Draft now 13 days away, the Browns have three quarterbacks on the roster in Flacco, offseason acquisition Kenny Pickett and rehabbing incumbent starter Deshaun Watson.
The presence of these three comes at a time when the Browns, homeowners of the No. 2 decide, are anticipated to take Heisman Trophy winner and two-way phenom Travis Hunter.
Hunter, a star cornerback and receiver with Colorado, entered the week with -250 odds at FanDuel to be the No. 2 decide.
If the Browns are locked in on Hunter — the Titans are broadly anticipated to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the primary decide — it means they’ve determined to go on Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Rumors have intensified that Sanders could slip within the draft, even previous the quarterback-needy Giants with the third decide. The Saints are the betting favorites to land him with the ninth decide.
If drafting Hunter — or Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter — and passing on Sanders is the plan, then it traces up with why the Browns would signal Flacco to a deal that may pay him handsomely.
There’s uncertainty about when Watson will return from his pair of Achilles accidents, which left the crew with simply the underwhelming Pickett as its prime possibility earlier than this transfer.
Flacco, 40, presumably supplies competitors for Pickett and insurance coverage in opposition to Watson not being obtainable.
Watson underwent a second surgical procedure to restore his ruptured proper Achilles tendon in January and the crew labeled his possibilities of returning “uncertain.”
“Watson’s recovery time and return to play status is uncertain, and he will likely miss significant time during the 2025 season,” the crew mentioned in January.
Flacco, a one-time Tremendous Bowl champion, is returning to the franchise that revitalized his profession in 2023 when he joined the Browns midseason to interchange a sidelined Watson and led a playoff run.
He earned Comeback Participant of the 12 months honors for his efforts, regardless of showing in simply 5 video games.
Flacco joined the Colts final 12 months and didn’t take pleasure in the identical success, throwing 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions throughout eight video games.
This season will mark Flacco’s 18th within the NFL.
Flacco additionally held discussions with the Vikings and Steelers, per ESPN, with the latter expressing curiosity whereas ready for Aaron Rodgers to decide.
