The NFL’s annual quarterback carousel is still spinning, and Aaron Rodgers seems to have his hands on the controls. Multiple teams are pursuing the four-time MVP, and his decision will have a cascading effect on the rest of the market.
Russell Wilson is ready to sign and will likely be the next domino to fall, leaving Joe Flacco as the top veteran option on the market.
Flacco is already receiving interest from multiple teams. He is “in play…for jobs with the Steelers, Browns, and Vikings,” per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. It’s easy to see Flacco end up in any of those destinations. He’s been a mercenary ever since he left Baltimore and spent the last three years with three different teams.
In Pittsburgh, Flacco would have a winnable battle with Mason Rudolph for a starting job after he re-signed with his old team last week. The Steelers may also look to add a quarterback through the draft, though their first-round pick (No. 21 overall) is likely too late for a top prospect. If Flacco wants a legitimate shot at starting, Pittsburgh may be his best bet.
The Browns are similarly bereft at the quarterback position. Deshaun Watson could miss the entire 2025 season after tearing his Achilles for a second time, which would leave Flacco to take on fellow former first-rounder Kenny Pickett for the starting gig. Flacco also spent the 2023 season in Cleveland, which was his best since leaving Baltimore. The Browns went 4-1 in his five starts, which featured 323.2 yards per game and 13 touchdowns. Flacco’s previous success in Cleveland and familiarity with Kevin Stefanski and much of his offensive line could motivate the 40-year-old to return to a previous team for the first time in his career.
Minnesota seems to offer the least upside. Flacco could start over J.J. McCarthy at the beginning of the season, but unless he truly thrives, it’s hard to imagine the Vikings sacrificing another year of development for the 2024 No. 6 overall pick. But if Flacco wants to win, Minnesota might be the place to do it. They retained pending free agents like Aaron Jones and Byron Murphy while making upgrades in the trenches on both sides of the ball.