Joe Flacco’s contract details with the Colts: How much will the QB make in Indianapolis?

In a move that makes sense for all involved, the Colts are getting a proven signal-caller, one who can provide both cover and mentorship for the young talent that the team currently has. As for the man himself, he gets another go just a year after winning Comeback Player of the Year.

Joe Flacco is joining the Colts

According to reports on Wednesday, longtime quarterback and the NFL’s reigning Comeback Player of the Year, Joe Flacco, has signed a one-year, $8.7 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. It is understood that the deal also includes $4.5 million in guaranteed money. Most recently, Flacco featured in five games for the Cleveland Browns last season after the team’s starting quarterback, Deshaun Watson, went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.

In those five games, Flacco went 4-1 and managed to take the Browns to the playoffs, but unfortunately saw the campaign ended by a loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild-Card Round. Where the numbers are concerned, Flacco threw for a total of 1,616 yards and had 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions last season, in what was his 16th in the league after being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 18 overall pick back in 2008. Incidentally, the 39-year-old became the first quarterback in league history to throw for more than 250 yards and multiple touchdowns in his first five games with a new team.

There is still more to come from Joe Flacco

Truthfully, Flacco has enjoyed an impressive run in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2013 and throwing for a grand total of 43,936 yards and 245 touchdowns in his career. Following 11 seasons with the Ravens, he spent four with the Denver Broncos followed by three with the New York Jets before finding his way to Cleveland. Interestingly, he was reportedly open to a return to Cleveland, but ultimately he will now play for his fifth team in the league.

Regarding what awaits the signal caller in Indianapolis, we have to assume that Flacco will serve as a backup to Anthony Richardson this coming season. Richardson was of course selected by the Colts with the No. 4 overall pick in last year’s Draft, but the former Florida star only managed to play in four games last season. Firstly, because of a concussion and then a season-ending shoulder injury. In the four contests that he did feature in, he threw for a total of 577 yards and had seven total touchdowns while going 2-2 in that stretch.

As for the Colts themselves, the team finished the season with a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs for a third straight year after turning to Gardner Minshew in Richardson’s absence. Minshew for his part was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders this week which brings us back to the Colts and Flacco. With the veteran on board, the team will get a more than dependable arm and one that can produce the deep ball, something that Minshew was often criticized for not doing. Richardson will also receive valuable mentorship in what will effectively be his first full campaign. It may be that things are looking up in Indianapolis.