Joe Flacco, the former Super Bowl champion quarterback, has made a return to the NFL by signing with the Cleveland Browns' practice squad. The 38-year-old veteran is now in contention to start for the team, following Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury. Flacco expressed surprise at his extended wait to be picked up by a team, but remains determined to make an impact.

Having spent 16 years in the league, Flacco acknowledged that surprise may not be the appropriate response to his time without a team. Despite his age and not having been a full-time starter since 2018, the experienced quarterback has an impressive 180 career starts under his belt. However, his recent track record as a backup quarterback has been mixed, with a 3-14 record in his last 17 games as a starter.

Flacco's most notable tenure was with the Baltimore Ravens during an 11-year run, where he achieved the pinnacle of his career by winning the Super Bowl. More recently, he served as a backup for the New York Jets in 2022, stepping in for an injured Zach Wilson.

While rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson is set to make his second consecutive start for the Browns in Week 12 against the Denver Broncos, Cleveland has shown a willingness to rotate Watson's replacements throughout the season. P.J. Walker, the veteran backup, was also given a chance but has now been replaced by Flacco. It is likely that Flacco will have an opportunity to lead the Browns' offense before the end of the 2023 season.

As Flacco settles into the Browns' practice squad, he brings a wealth of experience and a desire to prove his abilities as a starting quarterback once again. His addition to the team adds depth and options to Cleveland's quarterback lineup, as they navigate the rest of the season without Watson.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Flacco as he continues to work hard and stay prepared for any potential opportunity to lead the Browns to victory. Only time will tell if his return to the field will be successful, but one thing is for certain - Flacco is determined to make the most of this second chance in the NFL.