Joe Flacco’s new contract causes buzz among fans

Full details of Joe Flacco’s new contract with the Cleveland Browns are unknown, but the veteran quarterback’s deal is reportedly loaded with incentives based on the team’s performance.

Flacco, who was out of the league just a few weeks ago before signing with the Browns practice squad, has started Cleveland’s last two games. The 38-year-old veteran has played well, leading head coach Kevin Stefanski to announce he will start the remainder of the season.

That led the Browns to sign Flacco through the rest of the season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported incentives that could pay off big for Flacco.

According to Schefter, Flacco will make $75,000 for each game the Browns win the rest of the regular season. If the Browns make the playoffs, Flacco will earn $250,000 for a wild-card win and $500,000 for a divisional-round win. Flacco would earn $1 million for an AFC Championship win and, the big kicker, $2 million for a Super Bowl win.

Despite playing 16 seasons in the NFL, Flacco has flown under the radar throughout his career. He’s never made a Pro Bowl. It’s ironic that, in a week that saw Cam Newton come under fire for calling Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa and Brock Purdy “game manager” quarterbacks, the Browns would sign Flacco. He’s long been synonymous with the pejorative “game manager” term.

The Browns would be thrilled to see Flacco work some “game manager” magic all the way to the Super Bowl. It wouldn’t even be the first time he’s done something like that in his career. Flacco won Super Bowl MVP when the Baltimore Ravens won the championship to cap the 2012 season. Many fans and analysts downplayed his achievements, giving most of the credit to the team’s suffocating defense.

The Browns’ defense this season is even better, leading the NFL in fewest yards per game.

Browns fans seem thrilled to have Flacco, the team’s fourth starting quarterback this season, on board the rest of the way.

[Adam Schefter, ESPN]