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Joe Flacco reacts to Browns fans chanting his name during TNF vs Jets

profilephotocropby:Suzanne Halliburton•12/29/23•

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Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

After Thursday night, Browns quarterback Joe Flacco may never have to buy another beer in Cleveland again. He and his teammates beat the Jets to clinch a playoff spot. It’s only the second one for the franchise in more than two decades.

To think, the 38-year-old Flacco was back home in New Jersey last month pondering life after football, including whether he should go for a TV gig. After all, he was a quarterback with no team until the Browns called. And now he may be the most celebrated player — and unlikeliest of heros — in all of Cleveland. Flacco became the fourth different starting quarterback for the Browns. And keeping the number four in the Flacco conversation, the quarterback has helped the Browns to four straight victories.

Fans who once booed him chanted Flacco’s name after the Browns beat the Jets, 37-20 on Thursday Night Football. He even brought his five kids onto the field with him after the game. It was one big brown-and-orange party.

“You don’t know how many of these moments you’re going to get,” Flacco told reporters. “I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.”

Ex-Jets teammates embraced Flacco after Browns beat them

Flacco, who won a Super Bowl MVP trophy as quarterback of the Ravens, had seen his career seemingly end as a backup with the Jets last year. And no team signed him this season as quarterback after quarterback suffered a significant injury. The 38-year-old stayed in New Jersey awaiting a call as an NFL record 10 rookie quarterbacks started games around the league.

At game’s end, some of Flacco’s former teammates gave him hugs and handshakes. He even spent some time talking to Aaron Rodgers.

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Cleveland, which fields a terrific defense, got hit hard at quarterback. Starter Deshaun Watson needed season-ending shoulder surgery days after upsetting the Ravens. The Browns also turned to PJ Walker and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson to start games. Thompson-Robinson even has joined Watson on IR. Flacco seemed to calm the Browns when they needed him most. Cleveland boasts an 11-5 record with an outside chance of catching the Ravens for a division title.

No wonder fans wanted to linger at Cleveland Browns Stadium late Thursday evening.

“You can’t deny it, I’ve said it from the very beginning, this city has been unbelievable,” Flacco said. “My teammates have been unbelievable in terms of just embracing me onto this football team. It’s all been great. That makes it that much more special to be able to come in here and play some good football.”

For the record, Flacco has played in Browns stadium as the opposing quarterback 11 times, including 10 with the reviled Ravens. Cleveland is embracing him now.

Meanwhile, Flacco also is quietly earning a lot more money for every win. He signed a $4 million deal with the Browns. But every time he wins a start, he banks an extra $75,000. In addition, he threw for more than 300 yards for the fourth straight game. That tied a Browns single-season record. Plus, he tied Tom Brady for most consecutive 300-yard games for a quarterback 38 years of older.