The Colts and Flacco agree to terms Wednesday on a one-year contract worth up to $8.7 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Flacco's deal reportedly includes $4.5 million guaranteed. The reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year is coming off an impressive showing with Cleveland last season, having led the team to a playoff appearance, and he's now slated to replace Gardner Minshew as the top backup to second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder). All expectations in Indianapolis are that Richardson will be ready for training camp, and fully cleared well ahead of Week 1, but Flacco makes for a capable backup should he be required to take the field during the 2024 season, in addition to being a valuable mentor.

Flacco, an impending free agent, plans to continue his NFL career in 2024, Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Flacco will look to keep playing in what will be his age-40 season, though it's difficult to gauge what kind of opportunities he'll garner in free agency. The veteran signal-caller is coming off an impressive late-season run with the Browns, in which he led the team to a 4-1 record across five starts, culminating in a wild-card round playoff exit to the Texans. Cleveland is likely to restore a healthy Deshaun Watson (shoulder) as its starter in 2024, but if the team has any concerns about Watson's health, re-signing Flacco could be a priority. If the Browns aren't interested, however, Flacco's strong showing in 2023 ought to at least earn him a backup gig elsewhere in the league.

Flacco completed 34 of 46 passes for 307 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Saturday's 45-14 loss to the Texans. He rushed the ball three times for 13 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Flacco entered Saturday's game with four straight wins and a 4-1 record in five starts with the Browns. In that span, he had thrown multiple touchdowns in every matchup. However, that came crashing down in the loss to the Texans, as he threw a pair of pick-sixes on back-to-back possessions in the second half to put the Browns down by three scores. Assuming Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is fully recovered, he'll be the Browns' starting quarterback entering the 2024 season, though Flacco could return as the backup or find a job elsewhere thanks to his strong run to the 2023 campaign.

Flacco won't start Sunday's game against the Bengals, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the Browns locked into the No. 5 playoff seed in the AFC, Flacco is slated to be rested in Week 18. As a result, Jeff Driskel will start Sunday's game, backed up by PJ Walker. Flacco's next game action is thus slated to arrive in Cleveland's playoff opener.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said the team is still "working through" the possibility of sitting Flacco and other starters for all or part of Week 18's game against the Bengals, Scott Petrak of the Medina Gazette reports. "It's important for us to finish strong, so that's what we're going to do, and then we'll get as healthy as we can going into the next season," the coach said. "We'll have a plan moving forward. I'll update you guys as we get going through the week."

EDGE Analysis

The Browns are locked into the No. 5 seed and a road game against the AFC South champs in the wild-card round, so the team's decision-makers will evaluate what's best for individual players and the team as a whole. Flacco, who turns 39 this month, has been terrific since being named the starter, but it's easy to see him being removed at some point during the game or even rested entirely. Other skill players, like Amari Cooper (heel) and Elijah Moore (concussion) may benefit from an off week, which could impact Flacco's production if he does play. PJ Walker and Jeff Driskel are the options to take Flacco's place under center.

Flacco completed 19 of 29 passes for 309 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Browns' 37-20 win over the Jets on Thursday night. He also rushed twice for three yards and committed two fumbles, losing one.

EDGE Analysis

Flacco did the overwhelming majority of his damage in the first half, when the Browns racked up 34 of their 37 points. The veteran signal-caller shook off the absence of Amari Cooper (heel) and the in-game exit of Elijah Moore (head), focusing heavily on David Njoku, with whom he connected on six occasions for 134 yards. Flacco linked up with Jerome Ford for touchdown passes of seven and 50 yards, and he hit Moore with an eight-yard scoring toss before the receiver suffered his injury. Flacco now has four straight 300-yard efforts and five multi-touchdown tallies in as many starts heading into the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Bengals on Sunday, Jan. 7, a game that will be followed by at least one postseason contest courtesy of Thursday's victory.

Flacco completed 27 of 42 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions in Sunday's 36-22 win over the Texans. He also threw a two-point conversion.

EDGE Analysis

The 38-year-old QB topped 300 passing yards for the third straight game and tossed multiple TDs for the fourth straight game, as Flacco's presence under center continues to revitalize what had been a stagnant Browns passing attack. Amari Cooper has been the biggest beneficiary of Flacco's arrival, and the wideout set a franchise record Sunday with 265 receiving yards. If there's one yellow flag regarding Flacco's career renaissance, it's that he has yet to face a secondary that grades out as even above-average statistically, but that will change in Week 17 when Sauce Gardner and the Jets come to Cleveland.

Flacco (calf) was a full practice participant Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Flacco is ready to make another start Sunday in Houston, after leading the Browns to back-to-back wins over the Jaguars and Bears. He's surprisingly thrown for at least 254 yards and two touchdowns in each of his three starts, but that's largely due to massive volume (44 or 45 attempts in every game) and has also come with five interceptions and two fumbles (one lost). The underlying efficiency stats -- 57.9 completion rate, 7.1 YPT -- and total lack of rushing production suggest Flacco is unlikely to continue putting up big fantasy scores even if he's stabilizing a Browns offense that had been a complete disaster with PJ Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center.

Flacco (calf) is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Browns didn't actually practice but presumably will do so Thursday as they prepare for a road game in Houston this Sunday. Flacco played a full game this past Sunday against the Bears, throwing for 374 yards, two TDs and three INTs in a 20-17 comeback victory.

Flacco completed 28 of 44 passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

The three INTs included a pick-six by Tremaine Edmunds on Flacco's first pass attempt of the second half, and the miscues helped dig a 17-7 hole for the Browns heading into the fourth quarter. The 38-year-old QB put together an impressive comeback in the final frame, however, leading Cleveland on three scoring drives that included a 51-yard TD pass to Amari Cooper. The 374 passing yards were Flacco's highest total in a game since Week 2 of the 2018 season, his final campaign with the Ravens. Firmly entrenched as the Browns' starting QB, he'll look to lead the team to a third straight win in Week 16 against the Texans in a game that could have big implications for the AFC playoff picture.