The Minnesota Vikings were a trade-deadline target last October and are considered a candidate to pursue the Super Bowl veteran quarterback in free agency if Kirk Cousins leaves next week. trade-deadline target for Joe Flacco last October and are considered a candidate to pursue the Super Bowl veteran quarterback in free agency if Kirk Cousins leaves next week.
ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi entertained the prospects of Flacco returning to the Cleveland Browns after leading Cleveland to an improbable playoff appearance, winning four of his five starts to close the season. ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi entertained the prospects of Flacco returning, but he cautioned that Flacco might seek a starting job elsewhere.
While Browns fans would enjoy having Flacco return as a backup behind Deshaun Watson next season, Grossi noted that Flacco might prefer a starting job.
According to ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi, Flacco might consider joining the Vikings if he doesn't find a better opportunity elsewhere. Grossi also mentioned that the Vikings had previously shown interest in signing Flacco.
According to ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi, the Vikings inquired about signing Flacco off the practice squad before he was elevated as the team’s starter in December.
Vikings Ignored Flacco’s Calls at Trade Deadline
Getty ImagesJoe Flacco
The Vikings’ interest in Flacco likely came after the ride came crashing down in December. Dobbs won his first two starts for the Vikings before turning the ball over six times in back-to-back losses before the team’s Week 13 bye. Josh Dobbs Dobbs won his first two starts for the Vikings but then struggled in subsequent games, likely prompting the Vikings to consider other options like Flacco.
Flacco likely saw his opening to start after Dorian Thompson-Robinson suffered a concussion in Week 12, prompting him to decline the Vikings’ offer to sign him off the Browns practice squad. Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s injury in Week 12 may have given Flacco an opportunity to start, but he chose not to join the Vikings at that time. Dorian Thompson-Robinson suffered a concussion in Week 12, prompting him to decline the Vikings’ offer to sign him off the Browns practice squad.
But Flacco had previous interest in the Vikings.
According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Flacco reached out to the Vikings after Cousins went down with a season-ending Achilles injury on October 29, expressing his interest in joining the team. KSTP’s Darren Wolfson mentioned that Flacco expressed interest in joining the Vikings after Cousins’ injury on October 29.KSTP’s Darren Wolfson,
Flacco wanted to join the Vikings before October 30, but they were not interested. According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Flacco reached out to the Vikings after Cousins went down with a season-ending Achilles injury on October 29, expressing his interest in joining the team. According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Flacco reached out to the Vikings after Cousins went down with a season-ending Achilles injury on October 29, expressing his interest in joining the team.
Before the Vikings opted for Dobbs, Flacco had a 1-9 record as a starter since 2020. However, his resurgence proved beneficial for the Browns.
Flacco was the fourth quarterback to start for the Browns last season after he was elevated from the practice squad for a Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Flacco started for the Browns in a Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, kickstarting a career resurgence.Despite a 36-19 loss in Los Angeles, it was the start of a career renaissance for the 39-year-old.
Despite a loss in his first start for the Browns, it marked the beginning of a career revival for the 39-year-old. On a winning streak, Flacco displayed strong passing skills, averaging 340.5 yards and throwing 11 touchdowns with seven interceptions en route to a playoff berth. During a winning streak, Flacco demonstrated impressive passing abilities, averaging 340.5 yards and throwing 11 touchdowns, leading the team to a playoff spot.
Vikings Can Compete With Browns’ Projected Offer for Flacco
GettyGeneral manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah of the Minnesota Vikings is confident that the team can make a competitive offer for Flacco if Cousins departs.
If Cousins does move on from Minnesota, Flacco could be an ideal bridge veteran and mentor for a first-round rookie quarterback.
Once teased for claiming he was the top quarterback in the NFL, Flacco trusted in himself, turning down an offer from the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 offseason, believing he could get better and secure a superior agreement. Flacco then proceeded to win Super Bowl 42, earned Super Bowl MVP honors and a six-year $120 million extension.
Flacco’s importance to a quarterback group even nearing 40 years old cannot be measured — but the Browns may have a figure in mind.
Spotrac estimated Flacco to receive a two-year, $12 million agreement from the Browns with the condition that he serves as a backup.
The Vikings would need to offer more than $6 million annually, but Flacco has not earned an average yearly income exceeding $3.5 million since Flacco's market isn’t nearly as strong as other bridge veteran starters available in free agency.
