The Indianapolis Colts and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco have agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth up to $8.7 million, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
Flacco, who earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors with the Cleveland Browns last season, will receive $4.5 million guaranteed as part of the deal, sources added.
In Indianapolis, Flacco will serve as a backup to and mentor for second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. His presence will provide reassurance for the Colts, particularly after Richardson missed 12 games in his rookie season due to a shoulder injury that ended his campaign and another game because of a concussion.
Flacco’s experience offers the Colts a dependable backup without compromising practice opportunities for their young quarterback still in the developmental phase. Additionally, the 17-year veteran can offer guidance to Richardson, who had limited playing time during his rookie year after starting just one full season at Florida.
With Gardner Minshew, last season’s backup quarterback for the Colts, signing with the Las Vegas Raiders this week, Flacco steps in as a proven replacement. His strong arm adds a dimension to the offense that was sometimes lacking with Minshew, who showed reluctance to throw deep passes.
Colts coach Shane Steichen acknowledged the absence of deep throws from the offense last season. With Richardson and Flacco on board, the Colts now boast two quarterbacks with significant arm talent.
Flacco joined the Browns’ practice squad in November following a season-ending shoulder injury to starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. Just two weeks later, Flacco made his debut start, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 250 yards and multiple touchdowns in his first five games with a new team.
His performance contributed to the Browns’ four-game winning streak, securing them the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs. Flacco concluded the regular season with 1,616 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in five games.
However, Cleveland’s postseason run ended abruptly with a first-round defeat to the Houston Texans, where Flacco threw pick-sixes on consecutive possessions during the second half of the 45-14 loss.
Flacco, now 39, earned his Super Bowl ring with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, clinching the Super Bowl MVP title. Throughout his career, which also includes stints with the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles, Flacco has amassed 43,936 passing yards and 245 touchdowns.
