DETROIT, MI — Thanks to an abysmal performance in a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions, it is time for the Cleveland Browns to turn the page on the Joe Flacco era.
Flacco, a former Super Bowl XLVII champion and MVP for the Baltimore Ravens, and longtime nemesis of the Browns, before signing with them back in late 2023 off waivers, and helping lead them to a 4-1 record down the stretch and a playoff berth, looked anything like the same quarterback two seasons ago.
The 40-year-old Flacco looked and showed his age in going 16-of-34 for 184 yards and two interceptions. Flacco would also be sacked three times, two by Lions All-Pro edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, while posting a passer rating of 39.3
It’s okay to look bad against one of the NFL’s most prolific teams in the Lions, fueled by that crowd and energy and considered by many to be one of the top teams of the NFC.
The Lions pass rush makes many opposing quarterbacks look bad, but what they did to Flacco Sunday afternoon, was made him look as immobile as the newly-dedicated Superman statue in downtown Cleveland.
The Lions pass rush may not have been Flacco’s proverbial kryptonite, but Flacco sure as hell looked impotent.
And it’s okay. Father Time is undefeated. He has made many succumb to age and attrition.
While seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady was able to ward of Old Man Winter, it was only a matter of time before ultimately he would hang it up.
Flacco, to his credit, did so much to endear himself to Cleveland that magical fall, and instantly became a fan favorite. He still is. And he will always be remembered for what he did.
If Detroit was his last hurrah, then Flacco deserves the right to either ask for his release or retire with dignity and respect.
He’s earned that right.
But football is a young man’s game. And with that, Cleveland needs to see what they have in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Is either one the answer? We don’t know. Gabriel had a prolific college career at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. But his size at 5’11 and 205 pounds, as well as facing Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati makes him a prime target.
In the case of Sanders, it’s a case of hype, hope or the worst, most mishandled, and bungled example of drafting in sports history.
No fifth round pick in the history of sports has ever been drafted with as much baggage as Sanders.
Yes, Brady was the 199th pick out of Michigan and Russell Wilson fell all the way to the third round out of Wisconsin. Hell, no one even heard of Brock Purdy out of Iowa State, as he was Mr. Irrelevant.
But EVERYONE knew of, and heard nonstop about Deion’s kid. Was it a case of the NFL trying to humble him, make an example of a player with more swag and spotlight than Johnny Manziel could ever dream of.
The Browns need to do right by Sanders in either giving him a shot or releasing him out right. Now, they have no excuses with how Flacco has played.
Tape don’t lie. Ball don’t lie. Flacco is cooked.
Period.
There are no more excuses for the Browns front office and head Kevin Stefanski in playing a 40-year-old who has become more of a liability in throwing moonshot and WTF interceptions, has lost whatever accuracy he once had, and just looks ancient and slow.
Football is a fast, merciless and unforgiving game.
And in this case, the Browns have to turn the page on Flacco, thank him—greatly—for his services and move forward with the present and future.
It’s now or never. It is time. It’s that simple.
PHOTO: John Kuntz – Cleveland.com