Why the Colts chose Joe Flacco as their backup QB

Why the Colts signed Joe Flacco

Last year, the Colts found out firsthand why you need a reliable backup QB, with Minshew having to start 13 of the team's 17 games last season. And helped lead the Colts to a 9-8 season, just missing the playoffs. 

And now they have signed Flacco, who only started five regular-season games for the Browns after signing with them mid-season after multiple injuries in their QB room. He led them to a 4-1 finish to the season and punched the Browns ticket to the playoffs, where they would lose to the Houston Texans. 

Flacco's late season heroics led him to being named the 2024 "NFL's Comeback Player of the Year". And he now brings 16 years of NFL experience, including winning MVP of the Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens. 

Many expected the Colts to target a backup with a play style that was closer to Richardson's after having to change it so much last year. And while they didn't land a mo ile threat in the 39-year-old, they did land a QB who will fire downfield at will. An area the Colts missed dramatically after Richardson went down last season. And probably most importantly, Flacco is reuniting with Colts head coach Shane Stechien, who he spent time with for half a season in 2021. 

In the end, the Colts prioritized a player who would take deep shots and be able to pass down an abundance of knowledge to Richardson, which is never going to be a bad thing. 

Flacco now joins quite the list of QBs who spent time with the Colts to end their storied careers in recent years

• Phillip Rivers
• Matt Ryan
• Nick Foles
  And now: 
• Joe Flacco