The Cleveland Browns have caught lightning in a bottle with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. In one half on Thursday night, Flacco threw three touchdown passes and led the Browns to score 34 points.
He’s their quarterback of the present, but the Browns’ quarterback of the future watched from the sidelines. Deshaun Watson, who’s been out since he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 9, was with the team in Week 17 matchup for the first time since he had shoulder surgery.
All Watson can do right now is watch and cheer, and that’s exactly what he did after Flacco scored his third touchdown of the night. And when he saw Flacco on the sideline, he made sure to let the veteran know he appreciated his play.
just a couple of guys being dudes@JoeFlacco x @deshaunwatson pic.twitter.com/y1Nisqf7xu
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 29, 2023
It’s a funny sight, especially considering many expected Watson to be doing what Flacco’s been doing for the past month. The veteran came off the couch to light up the scoreboard with 13 passing touchdowns in four-and-a-half games. He also has the Browns in the midst of their first playoff berth since 2020.
Watson, meanwhile, should be healed in time to suit up for the start of 2024. Despite Flacco’s play, there will be no quarterback competition between Watson and the 38-year-old. Even though Watson severely underperformed when he did play this season, the Browns are paying him too much money to sit him on the bench.
For now, though, Flacco is the savior in Cleveland while Watson is the quarterback-in-waiting.
