At 40 years young, Joe Flacco readies himself for his 18th trip around the NFL sun. He gives this momentous challenge his all as he fights for the starting QB position in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. Flacco enters as one of four healthy quarterbacks in a competition for the starting role. His biggest goal, though, is to lead through his actions—mentoring his teammates and setting a positive example on the field. That veteran QB was Jacoby Brissett, who in April signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Browns. This move denotes his thrilling returns to the side after his breakout campaign a season ago.
Flacco’s 2023 season was noteworthy, as he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award after stepping in late in the season to help lead the Browns to a playoff berth. Even while battling through the effects of the virus, his performance this season was a shining example of his resilience and skill. In 2022, Flacco saw time with the Indianapolis Colts, concluding his season on a 2-4 record as their starter. Still, his experience and leadership qualities have turned him into one of the most valuable assets to have on the Browns.
In Tuesday’s practice, Flacco alternated first team reps in team drills with third-year man Kenny Pickett. Though this partnership has been advantageous to the young players, who are in awe of Flacco’s wealth of knowledge about the game. Pickett noted, “It’s like having another coach when a guy that’s played that much football, you could bounce ideas off of, ask him what he saw, how he would read certain things earlier in his career.”
Even with his wealth of experience, Flacco isn’t interested in being just a mentor. He makes a strong case for his main guiding principle being performance and competitiveness. That’s not the point, really. That’s not even it,” Flacco said, because that’s just not what’s important. He thinks leading by example with a terrific work ethic is the best way to mentor young quarterbacks.
Flacco spoke about the role of the mentor with particular honesty. He conveyed that he believes he should be a player that can dominate in this league. If preparation is your highest priority, then you’re losing the game. If this is you, you’ll have to focus on getting the big rocks in first. The first step to becoming a more effective mentor is to practice what you preach in your own work. Help spread the word about your innovative methods and lessons learned, and help inspire others to learn from your approach.
As the new elder statesman in the Browns’ quarterback room, Flacco is first to admit that he has an incredible amount of wisdom to impart. He remarked that there are “so many things, small things that you can learn” from his experiences. This collaborative exchange is critical for helping to nurture the growth of the younger players.
We know Flacco’s got an incredible track record. He was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLVII after guiding the Baltimore Ravens to their second championship. Positive attitude, along with a long history of finding success on the field, has earned him immense respect from teammates and coaches.
The competition for the starting job shouldn’t be too hot and heavy. Rookie quarterbacks like to show what they’ve got, especially while competing against an old pro. Flacco’s unique blend of experience and skill will undoubtedly influence the dynamics of the team as they prepare for the upcoming season.
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