Joe Flacco was officially added to the Cleveland Browns active roster on Thursday, which put an end to his stint on the practice squad. Additionally, there are several cash incentives included in the veteran quarterback’s new one-year deal.
For the remainder of the season, Flacco will get a basic salary of $370,800 from the Browns. But if the former MVP of the Super Bowl can lead the Browns to a deep postseason run, there will be much more to come. According to ESPN, Flacco’s incentive pay may total up to $4.05 million, depending on how many wins he leads the Browns to. The 38-year-old will receive $75,000 for each of the final four games he wins in the regular season.
Flacco would also receive $250,000 for winning the Wild Card, $500,000 for winning the divisional round, $1 million for winning the AFC Championship Game, and $2 million for winning the Super Bowl if Cleveland advances to the postseason.
It’s not as though Flacco needs financial incentives to lead the Browns to the postseason.
When asked how much money he makes with the Browns, Flacco grinned and replied, “I have no idea,” to reporters on Thursday. I haven’t yet checked my bank account. I have no idea if I’ve received a cheque or not.”
As of right now, the Browns (8-5) have the fifth spot in the AFC postseason standings. Having joined the team in late November, Flacco is Cleveland’s fourth starting quarterback of the year.
Before being sidelined with a shoulder injury during the first part of the regular season, Deshaun Watson was in and out of the starting lineup. Although Flacco has been behind center the last two weeks, P.J. Walker and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson have started a combined five games this season in his place. This includes last weekend’s 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In Cleveland’s eighth victory of the year, Flacco passed for 311 yards and three touchdowns along with an interception. The 16-year NFL veteran will start for Cleveland the remainder of the season, according to Browns coach Kevin Stefanski’s statement following the game.
Earlier this week, Stefanski said of Flacco, “Obviously, performing at a high level earns respect, but I just think the way you work earns respect.” “I’ve been around a lot of players, quarterbacks, running backs, whatever it is, the guys that work gain the respect of their teammates, and I think Joe just fits that mold.”
Flacco is only the sixth quarterback in NFL history to toss five touchdown passes in his first two games as a new team’s quarterback, according data from ESPN Stats & Information.
During his 11-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco tormented the Browns. And following an incredible Super Bowl run, he was formerly the highest-paid athlete in the NFL. Since his time in Baltimore came to an end, the former first-round selection has moved about. After making eight starts for the Denver Broncos in 2019, he played for the New York Jets for the final three seasons.
The only team to offer Flacco a chance to play this season was Cleveland.
Playing with Flacco is going incredibly well, according to Browns WR Amari Cooper. “He throws a tremendously terrific ball, as most people have undoubtedly seen by now. The archetypal sort of quarterback. Tall, strong arm, able to see and interpret defenses. He has so many wonderful qualities, you know, so I would say it’s going extremely well. The timing, in my opinion, is perfect. It’s obvious that communication and other related aspects have no bounds, but so far, so good.”
In the spring, Flacco will be available as a free agent once more. But in the run-up to Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, he didn’t want to get sucked into the conversation regarding his future.
The quarterback is intent on seizing his most recent chance.
At a news conference earlier this week, Flacco stated, “I just want to go out there and play my best and then see where that goes.” “I believe I’ve experienced enough scenarios at this point to understand that it might or might not be up to me. You simply need to play outside and not take things for granted.”
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