Career Timeline of Joe Flacco: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Joe Flacco made an impact.

Joe Flacco is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. He played college football at Pittsburgh and Delaware before being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2004: Playoff Misses Since 2004-2005

In 2016, the Ravens missed the playoffs for the second straight season, the first consecutive playoff misses for the franchise since 2004-2005.

2005: Transfer to University of Delaware

In 2005, Joe Flacco decided to transfer to the University of Delaware.

2005: Playoff Misses Since 2004-2005

In 2016, the Ravens missed the playoffs for the second straight season, the first consecutive playoff misses for the franchise since 2004-2005.

July 16, 2008: Signed with the Ravens

On July 16, 2008, Joe Flacco signed a five-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

2008: Starting Quarterback

In 2008, Joe Flacco became the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.

2008: NFL Draft Preparation

In 2008, Joe Flacco solidified himself as a top quarterback prospect through a solid showing at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, and won ESPN's State Farm College Football All-Star Challenge long distance throw competition.

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2008: First Playoff Win

In the 2008-09 NFL playoffs, Joe Flacco became only the third rookie quarterback in NFL history to win his first post-season start, leading the Ravens to victory against the Miami Dolphins.

2009: Best Record After Three Games Since 2009

After their Week 3 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, Joe Flacco and the Ravens had accrued a 3-0 record, their best record after three games since 2009.

December 26, 2010: Playoffs in First Three Seasons

On December 26, 2010, with a win against the Cleveland Browns, Joe Flacco became one of only four NFL quarterbacks to lead his team to the playoffs in all of his first three seasons, also reaching 10,000 career passing yards.

2010: Playoff Victory Against Chiefs

In the 2010-11 NFL playoffs, Joe Flacco led the Ravens to a victory against the Chiefs, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to start and win a playoff game in each of his first three seasons.

2012: Super Bowl XLVII Victory

Following the 2012 season, the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII, with Joe Flacco named as the Super Bowl MVP.

February 3, 2013: Ravens Win Super Bowl XLVII

On February 3, 2013, Joe Flacco led the Baltimore Ravens to a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, tying a record for consecutive playoff games with at least three touchdown passes. He was named the game's Most Valuable Player and received a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette.

March 4, 2013: Becomes Highest-Paid Quarterback in NFL History

On March 4, 2013, Joe Flacco became the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history after signing a six-year contract worth $120.6 million, though he was later surpassed by Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan.

2013: Worst Statistical Season of Career

In 2013, Joe Flacco had the worst statistical season of his career, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns for the first time. He threw 22 interceptions and 19 touchdowns, with a career-low passer rating of 73.1. He was also sacked 48 times. Despite setting a high with 3,912 passing yards, the Ravens finished 8-8, and Flacco missed the playoffs for the first time.

2013: Ranked 19th in NFL Top 100 Players

In 2013, Joe Flacco was ranked 19th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list, coinciding with what The New York Times described as the best start to a player's free agency in professional sports history.

2014: Best Regular Season of Career

In 2014, Joe Flacco had the best regular season of his career, setting highs in passing yards (3,986), passing touchdowns (27), times sacked (19), fumbles (5), and fumbles lost (0). He completed 344 of 554 passes and threw the second fewest interceptions (12). He led Baltimore to a 10-6 record.

2014: Ranked 58th in NFL Top 100 Players

In 2014, Joe Flacco was ranked 58th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

March 2, 2016: Signs Three-Year Extension with Ravens

On March 2, 2016, Joe Flacco agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens.

September 9, 2018: Strong Performance in Season Opener

On September 9, 2018, Joe Flacco threw for three touchdowns and had a passer rating of 121.7 in the season-opening win against the Buffalo Bills.

2018: Backup to 2018 First-Round Pick Sam Darnold

In 2020, Joe Flacco signed with the New York Jets as the backup quarterback to 2018 first-round pick Sam Darnold.

2018: End of Starting Role

Midway through the 2018 season, Joe Flacco lost his starting quarterback position for the Baltimore Ravens.

February 13, 2019: Ravens Agree to Trade Flacco to Broncos

On February 13, 2019, the Ravens agreed to trade Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

March 13, 2019: Trade to Broncos Becomes Official

On March 13, 2019, the trade sending Joe Flacco from the Ravens to the Denver Broncos became official.

2019: Trade to Denver Broncos

In 2019, Joe Flacco was traded to the Denver Broncos.

March 19, 2020: Broncos Release Flacco

On March 19, 2020, the Broncos released Joe Flacco with a failed physical designation.

May 27, 2020: Signs with New York Jets

On May 27, 2020, Joe Flacco signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the New York Jets as a backup quarterback.

October 7, 2020: Named Jets Starter

On October 7, 2020, Joe Flacco was named the starting quarterback for the Jets due to Sam Darnold's shoulder injury.

2020: Joined the New York Jets

In 2020, Joe Flacco joined the New York Jets as a backup quarterback.

2020: Backup to Jalen Hurts

In 2021, Joe Flacco signed with the Philadelphia Eagles to back up 2020 second-round pick Jalen Hurts.

March 25, 2021: Signs with Philadelphia Eagles

On March 25, 2021, Joe Flacco signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles to back up Jalen Hurts.

October 25, 2021: Traded Back to Jets

On October 25, 2021, the Eagles traded Joe Flacco back to the Jets for a conditional sixth-round draft pick after Zach Wilson suffered a knee injury.

November 17, 2021: Named Starting Quarterback for Week 11 Game

On November 17, 2021, Joe Flacco was named the starting quarterback for the Jets' Week 11 game against the Dolphins.

2021: Traded Back to the Jets

In 2021, Joe Flacco initially signed with the Philadelphia Eagles but was later traded back to the New York Jets.

2023: Joined Cleveland Browns

Midway through the 2023 season, Joe Flacco joined the Cleveland Browns and subsequently won the Comeback Player of the Year award after leading Cleveland to a playoff berth.

2025: Traded to Cincinnati Bengals, Made Pro Bowl

A few weeks into the 2025 season, Joe Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals and was selected to his first-ever Pro Bowl at the end of that season.