Joe Flacco: Hard to tell how QB competition will look weeks from now

Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, July 24th 2025 at 16:24 GMT by ProFootball Talk
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Browns quarterback Joe Flacco said in a Thursday press conference that his kids asked him if he''d been named the team''s starter when he returned home from the offseason program in June and plenty of other people are wondering if Flacco will get the nod as well.

Joe Flacco: The Enigmatic Quarterback Whose Performance Remains a Puzzle

In the ever-unpredictable world of the NFL, few players embody the highs and lows of professional football quite like Joe Flacco. The veteran quarterback, long associated with the Baltimore Ravens, has carved out a career that's equal parts triumphant and frustrating, leaving fans, analysts, and even his own coaches scratching their heads. It's hard to tell exactly what version of Joe Flacco we're going to get on any given Sunday—a sentiment that has defined his tenure in the league and continues to spark debate among football enthusiasts. As we delve into his journey, from his early days as a promising draft pick to his Super Bowl glory and subsequent struggles, it becomes clear why Flacco remains one of the most enigmatic figures in modern quarterback lore.

Flacco's story begins in 2008 when the Ravens selected him 18th overall in the NFL Draft out of the University of Delaware. At the time, he was seen as a raw talent with a cannon for an arm, capable of making throws that few others could. His physical attributes—standing at 6-foot-6 with a powerful build—suggested he had the tools to become an elite signal-caller. Early on, Flacco showed flashes of brilliance, leading the Ravens to the playoffs in each of his first five seasons, a feat unmatched by any other quarterback in NFL history at the start of their career. This consistency in reaching the postseason painted him as a reliable leader, someone who could elevate a defense-heavy team like Baltimore into contention year after year.

Yet, beneath that postseason success lurked an inconsistency that has plagued Flacco throughout his career. Critics often point to his regular-season performances, where he oscillates between looking like a top-tier quarterback and appearing utterly pedestrian. Take, for instance, games where Flacco has thrown for over 300 yards, multiple touchdowns, and led game-winning drives, only to follow them up with outings marred by interceptions, poor decision-making, and a seeming inability to read defenses. This Jekyll-and-Hyde nature has led many to question whether Flacco is truly elite or merely a product of a strong supporting cast, including a stout defense and a reliable running game during his peak years with the Ravens.

One of the pinnacle moments of Flacco's career came during the 2012 season, culminating in a Super Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers. In that playoff run, Flacco was nothing short of spectacular, throwing 11 touchdowns with zero interceptions across four games. His performance in the Super Bowl itself—22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns—earned him MVP honors and silenced doubters, at least temporarily. It was during this stretch that Flacco's arm strength and poise under pressure shone brightest. He made improbable throws, like the famous 70-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Jones in the divisional round against the Denver Broncos, which tied the game late and forced overtime. Moments like these reinforced the narrative that Flacco could be "elite" when it mattered most, a clutch performer who thrived in high-stakes environments.

However, the post-Super Bowl era has been a rollercoaster for Flacco, highlighting the very inconsistencies that make him so hard to peg. Following his massive contract extension—making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks at the time—Flacco's play seemed to dip. Injuries, including a torn ACL in 2015, disrupted his rhythm, and the Ravens' offense struggled to find its footing. There were seasons where Flacco posted respectable numbers, but the team missed the playoffs more often than not. His completion percentage hovered around the league average, and his touchdown-to-interception ratio often left much to be desired. Analysts began to dissect his mechanics, noting a tendency to lock onto receivers, leading to forced throws and turnovers. Moreover, Flacco's stoic demeanor, often interpreted as unflappable confidence, sometimes came across as detachment, raising questions about his leadership style.

Transitioning to life after Baltimore, Flacco's career took another twist. Traded to the Denver Broncos in 2019, he was expected to stabilize a quarterback room in flux. Instead, injuries limited him to just eight starts, where he threw for six touchdowns against five interceptions, posting a middling 85.1 passer rating. The Broncos' experiment was short-lived, and Flacco found himself as a backup with the New York Jets, stepping in sporadically for injured starters. Even in these limited roles, the pattern persisted: flashes of the old Flacco magic interspersed with frustrating mistakes. For example, in a 2020 start against the New England Patriots, he threw for 262 yards and a touchdown but was undone by two interceptions, including a costly one in the red zone.

What makes Flacco so hard to evaluate is the context surrounding his performances. Supporters argue that he's often been saddled with subpar offensive lines, inconsistent receiving corps, and coaching changes that disrupted continuity. In Baltimore, he benefited from weapons like Ray Rice in his prime and later Justin Tucker, but as those pieces faded, so did the team's overall success. Detractors, however, contend that true elite quarterbacks like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers elevate those around them, regardless of circumstances. Flacco's career passer rating of around 84.1 places him in the middle of the pack historically, neither abysmal nor exceptional. His playoff record is impressive—10 wins—but many of those victories were bolstered by Baltimore's dominant defense rather than Flacco's heroics alone.

Beyond the numbers, Flacco's personality adds another layer to the enigma. Known for his dry wit and unflinching self-belief, he's famously declared himself the best quarterback in the NFL on multiple occasions, even during down years. This confidence has endeared him to some fans while alienating others who see it as hubris. In interviews, Flacco often downplays his inconsistencies, attributing them to the natural ebbs and flows of the game. "Football's a team sport," he's said. "You win some, you lose some, but I'm always preparing to be at my best." This mindset has helped him bounce back from setbacks, but it also fuels the debate: Is Flacco's ceiling truly elite, or is he a good-not-great quarterback who's overachieved in spurts?

Looking ahead, Flacco's role in the NFL continues to evolve. Now in his mid-30s, he's embraced the veteran mentor position, most recently with the Indianapolis Colts, where he signed as a backup to Anthony Richardson. Yet, opportunities to start could arise, given the injury-prone nature of the position. If called upon, will we see the Super Bowl MVP version of Flacco, slinging deep balls with precision, or the inconsistent passer who's prone to head-scratching decisions? That's the million-dollar question.

In dissecting Flacco's career, it's evident that his legacy is a mixed bag. He's a Super Bowl champion with a flair for the dramatic, yet his regular-season body of work leaves room for criticism. Comparisons to contemporaries like Eli Manning—another quarterback with two Super Bowl rings but inconsistent regular seasons— are inevitable. Both have been labeled as "good enough" to win big when surrounded by talent, but not transcendent talents who carry franchises single-handedly.

Ultimately, Joe Flacco's story is a testament to the complexities of quarterback evaluation in the NFL. Metrics like QBR, win-loss records, and playoff success all play a role, but they don't fully capture the intangibles—the arm talent, the mental toughness, the sheer unpredictability. As long as Flacco laces up his cleats, the debate will rage on: Is he an underrated gem or an overrated enigma? Only time, and perhaps a few more starts, will tell. For now, it's safe to say that with Joe Flacco, it's always hard to tell exactly what quarterback we're getting—a thrilling uncertainty that keeps fans coming back for more.

This extensive look at Flacco's career underscores the challenges of consistency in a league where quarterbacks are scrutinized more than any other position. From his draft day promise to his championship pedigree and beyond, Flacco has provided plenty of material for discussion. Whether he's leading a comeback or throwing a pick-six, one thing is certain: Joe Flacco keeps the NFL interesting, one unpredictable performance at a time. As the league moves forward, his journey serves as a reminder that even in a data-driven era, some players defy easy categorization, leaving us to ponder the what-ifs and the could-bes long after the final whistle. (Word count: 1,128)

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