Reason why Joe Flacco choose not to re-sign with the Cleveland Browns is surprising.

Many Cleveland Browns fans received a reality check on Tuesday as they learned that Joe Flacco would not be returning to the team, following the Browns’ signing of New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Jameis Winston.

Flacco stepped up for the Cleveland Browns, guiding them to the playoffs after starting quarterback Deshaun Watson sustained a season-ending injury in November. Once a formidable rival as the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco has now become an unexpected hero for the Browns.

Browns fans expressed a desire for Flacco to return to the team as a backup, with some even advocating for him to start due to their dissatisfaction with Watson. However, the possibility of Flacco starting would only have arisen if Watson was unable to begin the season due to his injured shoulder.

The Cleveland Browns made Flacco’s decision easy by not even extending him a contract offer if he wanted to return to Cleveland.

According to Joe Flacco’s agent, Joe Linta, the Cleveland Browns did not extend a contract offer to Flacco. It appeared that the Browns had little interest in re-signing the 39-year-old quarterback to any deal, with Jameis Winston being their top choice as the backup quarterback for the upcoming season.

While Flacco performed well for the Browns in the latter half of last year’s season, his age likely played a role in the team’s decision-making process. Despite his contributions, Flacco’s stint with the Browns came to an end after a playoff loss to the Houston Texans, during which he threw consecutive pick-sixes. Nonetheless, Browns fans remain grateful for Flacco’s crucial role during a period marked by multiple injuries to the team.