Ravens send Joe Flacco a message after joining Browns

Joe Flacco, who once played a key role in ensuring the Baltimore Ravens would win the Super Bowl, is now aiming for the same goal with his AFC North rival, the Cleveland Browns.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh reacted to the former franchise quarterback joining the Browns on Monday, wishing Flacco well as he enters his 16th NFL season. “It’s great for Joe. I’ve seen Joe say multiple times that he still wants to play and he’s got a lot of energy left in him,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t doubt Joe—I never doubt Joe. He is the best competitor. Then we’ll see what happens.’

Flacco’s signing was reported on Sunday but not officially announced until Monday. Flacco appeared in 183 games and made 180 starts for the Ravens (2008-18), Broncos (2019) and New York Jets (2020-22). Flacco has completed 3,881 of his 6,299 career passes (61.6%) with 232 touchdowns and 147 interceptions. As a starting pitcher, he compiled a 99-81 (.550) record. He won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens and was named the Super Bowl MVP for that game. Flacco, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, P.J. Enter the Browns quarterback room with Walker. The Browns and Ravens are locked in a tight race for the AFC North crown, with Baltimore holding a half-game lead over Cleveland.

The Browns are expected to release a receiver to make room for Joe Flacco.

The Browns released wide receiver Trinity Benson from the practice squad to make room for rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. The Browns were Benson’s third NFL stop, and he was mostly a practice player during his career. He has not played for Cleveland this season. Benson played his college ball at East Central University and was drafted in 2019. He appeared in eight games with the Detroit Lions in 2021, catching 10 passes for 103 yards. Flacco will begin his tenure on the Browns’ practice squad as he gets going. However, he is expected to be promoted to the active roster this week when the Browns host the Denver Broncos. Dorian Thompson-Robinson starts against the Broncos

The Browns will continue to play Thompson-Robinson this week against the Broncos, coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed in a Monday, Nov. 20 media appearance.

“Joe’s role is to support the team,” Stefanski said. “We’ve added someone with a lot of experience who will fit the room perfectly. “He will be a great addition to this team.”

Deshaun Watson, the founder of the Browns franchise, is expected to miss an extended period of time after undergoing surgery for a fractured shoulder. He will also do his first rehab stint on the West Coast, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. Flacco will help fill the leadership void on the offensive side of the ball with Watson gone.

“Being a great teammate, sharing wisdom with your teammates, encouraging your teammates, helping your teammates — that’s what we do,” Stefanski said. “Obviously Joe has a lot of experience and I know our quarterbacks. Everybody uses that.”

Thompson-Robinson wasn’t particularly impressive in his second start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but he did enough, especially late, to help the Browns to a 13-10 win. He led his team to victory during the two-minute warning period, and kicker Dustin Hopkins sealed the win with a 34-yard field goal.