Browns GM Says Joe Flacco Contract Won't Impact Team's 2025 NFL Draft Strategy on QBs

Joe Flacco's presence on the Cleveland Browns' roster isn't going to alter their plans at quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Flacco won't have "any real impact of how we would view" selecting a quarterback.

It speaks to the state of Cleveland's quarterback room that Berry would even have to answer the question about Flacco, who turned 40 on Jan. 16, potentially impacting the team's strategy.

Last week, the Browns signed Flacco to a one-year, $4 million deal that can max out at $13 million. He joins a quarterback room that also includes Kenny Pickett, who was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 12.

These two offseason additions came after Deshaun Watson re-ruptured his Achilles in January, putting his status for the 2025 season in jeopardy.

Even with all of the questions at quarterback, the Browns haven't really been connected to anyone at the position with the No. 2 overall pick throughout the pre-draft process.

Shedeur Sanders was at one point being frequently mocked to Cleveland, but that chatter has faded away in recent weeks.

The Browns are mostly being linked to either Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, though Berry said Thursday they haven't made any firm decisions about what they will do with the second pick.

There does seem like a strong possibility that the Browns will take a quarterback early in the draft. They have 10 picks available, including two in the third round, to potentially move up if someone they like at the position starts to fall.

B/R's NFL scouting department is projecting the Browns will trade with the Minnesota Vikings to get back into the first round for the No. 24 pick to select Jaxson Dart. The trade costs them picks No. 33 and 67 this year, plus a conditional 2026 pick.

Flacco, who started five games for the Browns in 2023, gives them a potential bridge quarterback in the event they land a developmental player like Dart and don't feel comfortable starting a rookie right away.

This isn't necessarily a great formula for success in 2025, especially in a division with the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Browns' options were limited this offseason because they are still navigating around the limitations presented by Watson's contract still being on their books.