The Browns held their season-ending news conference that was heavily quoted on social media and the news. The GM did his normal word salad with lot's of words without a lot of information.  But there was one thing said that really flashed on social media spurring a ton of comments, stating they would love to have Joe Flacco back next season.  I don't think he really means it, and I am 100% certain that's a very bad idea.

But you know it sounds like a good idea with as well as he played and that the Browns offense was never better doesn't make a bit of difference.  Flacco is clearly capable of playing the the NFL, and he fits well here for about 1,000 reasons but that doesn't matter.  Or that Stefanski never looked more at ease, happy and comfortable with him makes zero difference.  The cold truth is, this organization doesn't take accountability for things they have decided no matter what.  They are committed to Deshaun Watson no matter where that does or does't take them.

In two years Watson has played in 11 games and has really not played very well.  There are flashes of greatness here and there but not enough to win on the regular, and he's not healthy a lot of the time.  His 4-1 record this year is questionable.  Cincy at home with a hurt Burrow, the Titans (at home) turned out to be terrible, but a GREAT win against the Ravens (on the road) was his cap feather.  He was beyond awful in the loss to Pittsburgh, as it was shown the style of offense he wants to play isn't as effective as the play-action offense Flacco directed. 

But sadly, having Flacco as your backup is asking for gigantic problems with fans, media and the locker room.  Because the minute the offense looks sluggish or isn't working, fans will turn on the Browns and be SCREAMING for Flacco.  And so will some in the locker room who's career is ticking by week by week waiting on the Watson miracle.  If Flacco signs here the only way he would ever see the field would be circumstances similar to last season.  If Watson was the worst QB in the league, Flacco would still sit.  The organization has to be right, even if it means being bad.  Remember 2021 we had the highest paid, most capable backup QB in the league (Case Keenum) on the bench who was a friend of Stefanski for years from Minnesota. Even he watched as they marched a clearly compromised Baker out to play in winnable games all year.

No veteran backup QB may want to come here because of that very fact, and with the Browns drafting DTR, a player they really like and seem committed to as well.  There is also a money component to it, as we have a ton already in the QB room spent.  The Browns should remember better than anyone, when the most popular person on the team with fans is the backup QB, that leads to very big problems.  We've been there a few times, and it never worked out at all.

I love Flacco and how well he played.  But for him and all concerned it would be best he go elsewhere to play or mentor a young QB who observes Flacco for a year of two.  At his age why play, if you're not going to play?  Having an able and popular QB that talented on the bench with a QB that's "guaranteed" is a recipe for disaster with the fans, media and the locker room.

I love him too.  They have every bit the same chance to win with Flacco than with anyone else, but it's just too divisive.

Should be interesting.