Joe Flacco, 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, signs 1-year deal with Colts: reports

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Joe Flacco, the NFL’s Comebacker Player of the Year for the 2023 season, won’t be heading back home to await a call from another franchise. 

Flacco and the Indianapolis Colts reached a deal for one year worth up to $8.7 million, ESPN reported on Wednesday. Flacco gets $4.5 million guaranteed in the deal. 

With Gardner Minshew leaving for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, the Colts needed another backup for Anthony Richardson, their fourth overall pick last year who suffered a shoulder injury that ended his rookie season prematurely. 

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Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first half at NRG Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Flacco didn’t start the year with any franchise, but the Cleveland Browns came calling when Deshaun Watson’s season ended due to a shoulder injury. 

Flacco was signed to the practice squad in late November, and after head coach Kevin Stefanski tried rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson first as Watson’s replacement, Flacco earned his first start two weeks later. 

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What transpired was jaw-dropping, as Flacco looked like his Super Bowl self, becoming the first player in league history to throw for over 250 yards and multiple touchdowns in his first five games with a new team. 

Flacco went under center, and Stefanski did not have training wheels on his playbooks. The first start, a 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, saw Flacco throw for 254 yards with two touchdowns and one