CLEVELAND, OH – In what could be one of the more intriguing pre-season storylines of the NFL summer, discussions are heating up over whether the Cleveland Browns should consider trading veteran quarterback Joe Flacco—just months after he helped lead the team to a surprise playoff appearance. While Flacco remains a revered figure in the Browns locker room and among fans, analysts like Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder and Heavy.com’s Max Dible are making a compelling case that his greatest value to Cleveland might now come via trade.
Specifically, the Minnesota Vikings have been floated as a logical landing spot.
The debate isn’t rooted in any public comments from the Browns or Vikings front offices, but instead in a realistic scenario: the Browns currently have a crowded quarterback room, while the Vikings have uncertainty under center. Flacco, 39, may be the odd man out in Cleveland’s long-term plans—and Minnesota might have a reason to bite.
Matt Holder’s recent column emphasized the idea that Cleveland could capitalize on Flacco’s current value. “The Browns could use Flacco’s comeback success as leverage to gain some late-round capital,” Holder wrote. “It’s rare for a 39-year-old backup to hold trade value, but Flacco’s 2023 performance was no fluke. Someone will want that security blanket. Why not cash in?”
Max Dible expanded the theory by identifying Minnesota as the ideal trade partner. “The Vikings are a team with playoff aspirations but uncertainty at quarterback,” he said. “Sam Darnold is inconsistent, and rookie J.J. McCarthy is a project. Flacco would instantly become the most proven player in that QB room. He’s the perfect bridge.”
From Cleveland’s side, the quarterback situation is both complex and delicate. Deshaun Watson is clearly the starter—when healthy—but his availability has been anything but guaranteed since arriving in Cleveland. Behind him, Dorian Thompson-Robinson has developed enough to warrant a longer look, and the Browns added veteran Tyler Huntley this offseason. Keeping four quarterbacks into the regular season is rare, even more so when the team has other roster needs. Flacco’s presence is a luxury—but also a potentially valuable asset on the trade market.
Last season, Flacco joined Cleveland mid-year and delivered an unforgettable late-season surge, guiding the team to key wins that secured a playoff berth. His leadership, poise, and deep-ball ability energized the offense. He threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in just five starts, including four straight 300-yard games—proving he still had plenty left in the tank.
But as emotional and inspiring as Flacco’s run was, it may have been lightning in a bottle. The Browns have made it clear that Watson is the franchise quarterback, and barring another major setback, Flacco’s role would be marginal at best in 2025. Trading him now might be the shrewdest move—selling high before diminishing returns take over.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have already taken a calculated risk by drafting McCarthy 10th overall. The rookie out of Michigan is the presumed future of the franchise, but most draft analysts agree he’ll need at least part of a season to adjust to NFL speed and concepts. Darnold, signed in free agency, is the stopgap—though his track record (63 touchdowns, 56 interceptions over six seasons) leaves much to be desired.
Flacco could provide the Vikings with exactly what they need: a stable, veteran presence who doesn’t need reps or development time. He’d also serve as an ideal mentor for McCarthy, offering Super Bowl-winning experience and professionalism. Should Darnold falter early, Flacco’s steady hand could keep Minnesota competitive in a tough NFC North.
“There are only so many quarterbacks with a playoff résumé and the ability to win right now,” said Dible. “Flacco is one of them, and Minnesota is uniquely positioned to benefit from his presence.”
Financially, the trade would be manageable for both sides. Flacco’s current deal with Cleveland is a one-year, $4.5 million contract with incentives. Minnesota could absorb that without restructuring its roster. And for Cleveland, parting ways with Flacco wouldn’t come with any painful cap consequences.
So what would it take to get a deal done?
Holder speculated that the Browns could net a Day 3 pick—possibly a fifth or sixth-round selection—in return. “No one’s giving up a top-100 pick for a 39-year-old,” he said, “but a late-rounder is realistic. And it’s not just about the pick—it’s about opening up reps for Thompson-Robinson and giving Huntley more of a look, too.”
There’s also a chance the Browns could structure the deal around conditional compensation—tying the value of the pick to Flacco’s playing time or performance in Minnesota. That kind of creative deal-making has become common across the NFL and would align incentives for both teams.
Still, any trade involving Joe Flacco would be as much about optics as football. He is beloved in Cleveland. Fans wore Flacco jerseys with pride last season. He embodied grit, perseverance, and calm amid chaos. His return from NFL purgatory was the feel-good story of the year. Trading him could risk backlash from a fanbase that holds him in high regard.
But the NFL is a business, and sentimentality often takes a back seat to roster construction. With Watson’s health reportedly trending upward and younger, more mobile options behind him, Flacco’s window in Cleveland may have already closed—even if no one wants to say it out loud.
General manager Andrew Berry has proven willing to make bold, calculated moves in the past, and this may be another. It would be a testament to good asset management: signing Flacco off the street, getting high-level production, and then flipping him for a pick.
On the other side, Vikings brass may see this as the missing piece in their quarterback puzzle. Flacco doesn’t need to be a long-term answer—just a reliable insurance policy in a season that could define O’Connell’s tenure. If the McCarthy experiment falters or if Darnold stumbles, Minnesota must avoid a freefall. Flacco prevents that scenario.
Meanwhile, the rest of the NFL is watching.
Quarterback movement always draws headlines, and Flacco’s name still carries weight. He’s won a Super Bowl. He’s been a playoff road warrior. And in a league that increasingly values proven experience in the QB room, his presence could make the difference in a tight divisional race.
There’s no guarantee a trade happens. Cleveland may opt to keep Flacco as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option. But there’s a growing sense that a deal makes sense—for both the Browns and Vikings. Whether it’s about acquiring another pick or giving a rookie time to grow without rushing, both teams could benefit from a smart, low-cost transaction.
For now, Flacco remains in orange and brown. But don’t be surprised if purple is in his future.
Because sometimes, the best move is the hardest one to make—and the smartest one, too.
