INDIANAPOLIS – One of the NFL’s feel-good stories in 2023 has been added to the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback room.
The team has signed veteran Joe Flacco to a one-year contract that could be worth as much as $8.7 million, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The deal includes $4.5 million in guarantees.
Flacco, 39, was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year last season after joining the Cleveland Browns in Week 12 when Deshaun Watson was sidelined with a season-ending shoulder injury. He led the Browns to a 4-1 record and a playoff berth, completing 60.3% of his passes for 1,616 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Flacco steps in as the Colts’ backup to Anthony Richardson, who missed the final 12 games of his rookie season with a shoulder injury. The No. 2 spot was officially vacated this week when Gardner Minshew II signed a free-agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Flacco is reunited with Shane Steichen.
In 2021, the Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a one-year deal to be Jalen Hurts’ backup in Steichen’s offense. Flacco didn’t appear in a regular-season game before being traded to the New York Jets in October.
Flacco’s NFL resume is deep and impressive.
The 2008 first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens has a 103-82 record as a starter and was MVP of Super Bowl XLVII when he led the Ravens to a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
In 16 seasons, Flacco has completed 61.6% of his passes for 43,936 yards with 245 touchdowns and 155 interceptions.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.