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 a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. Prior to this, he played college football for both the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft, launching his successful professional career.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

July 16, 2008: Signed Contract with Ravens

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

2008: First Rookie Quarterback to Win Post-Season Start on the Road

In 2008, Joe Flacco became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to win his first post-season start on the road. The Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins, 27-9.

2008: Starting Quarterback for the Ravens

In 2008, Joe Flacco became the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, a position he held until midway through the 2018 season.

2008: Drafted by Baltimore Ravens

In 2008, Joe Flacco was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the NFL draft.

2008: Solidified Himself as a Top NFL Draft Prospect

In 2008, Joe Flacco's solid performance at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine solidified his position as a top quarterback prospect for the NFL draft.

2008: Starting Quarterback Debut

In 2008, due to injuries to other quarterbacks, Joe Flacco started as quarterback for the Ravens, and had a 38-yard rushing touchdown in his debut against the Cincinnati Bengals.

2009: Ravens Best Record 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: Led Team to 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 three of his first three seasons, reaching 10,000 career passing yards during the game.

2010: Wild Card Round Win Against the Chiefs

In the 2010-11 NFL playoffs, Joe Flacco led the Ravens to a Wild Card Round victory against the Chiefs, completing 25 of 34 passes for 265 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, resulting in a post-season-high passer rating of 115.4.

2012: Ravens Win Super Bowl XLVII

Following the 2012 season, the Baltimore Ravens, led by Joe Flacco, won Super Bowl XLVII. He was named Super Bowl XLVII's MVP.

January 6, 2013: Victory Over Indianapolis Colts in Wild Card Round

On January 6, 2013, Joe Flacco led the Ravens to a 24-9 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round, setting up a Divisional round rematch with the Denver Broncos.

January 20, 2013: AFC Championship Win Over Patriots

On January 20, 2013, Joe Flacco and the Ravens defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game with a score of 28-13, securing their spot in the 2013 Super Bowl.

February 3, 2013: Super Bowl XLVII Victory

On February 3, 2013, Joe Flacco led the Baltimore Ravens to a 34–31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. Flacco completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, earning him the Super Bowl MVP award and tying a record for consecutive playoff games with at least three touchdown passes. He was also awarded a Chevrolet Corvette.

March 4, 2013: Highest-Paid NFL Quarterback

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

2013: Statistically Worst Season

In 2013, Joe Flacco had statistically the worst season of his NFL career, throwing more interceptions (22) than touchdowns (19), and achieving a career-low passer rating of 73.1. He was also sacked 48 times during the season. However, he set a high in passing yards, with 3,912. The Ravens finished with an 8-8 record, missing the playoffs.

2013: Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2013, Joe Flacco was ranked 19th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list, following his Super Bowl XLVII MVP performance.

2013: Pick-Six Interception

In the 2015 season opener against the Broncos, Joe Flacco threw his first pick-six interception since the 2013 season finale.

2014: Home Opener Loss Against Bengals

During the 2014 season home opener, Joe Flacco threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith Sr. against the Cincinnati Bengals, which was the longest touchdown throw of Flacco's career at the time. Despite this, the Ravens lost the game 16-23. Flacco finished with 345 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception, with a passer rating of 71.0.

2014: Best Regular Season

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), and fumbles (5). The Ravens finished the season with a 10-6 record.

2014: Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players

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

2015: Season-Ending Injury

During the Week 11 game versus the Rams in 2015, Joe Flacco suffered a torn ACL and MCL, ending his season. He completed the drive to put Baltimore into a position to kick the game-winning field goal, securing a 16-13 victory.

2015: Lowest Ranking on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2015, Joe Flacco was ranked number 97 on the NFL Top 100 Players list, marking his lowest ranking ever on the list.

March 2, 2016: Contract Extension with Ravens

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

September 9, 2018: Season-Opening Blowout Against Bills

On September 9, 2018, Joe Flacco threw for three touchdowns and had a passer rating of 121.7 in the season-opening blowout against the Buffalo Bills with a score of 47–3.

2018: Backup to 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 Quarterback Role

Midway through the 2018 season, Joe Flacco's tenure as the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens came to an end.

February 13, 2019: Trade Agreement to Broncos

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

March 13, 2019: Official Trade to Broncos

On March 13, 2019, the deal to trade Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos became official.

2019: Traded to the Denver Broncos

In 2019, Joe Flacco was traded to the Denver Broncos after losing his starting position with the Ravens.

March 19, 2020: Release from Broncos

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

May 27, 2020: Signed with New York Jets

On May 27, 2020, Joe Flacco signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets as the backup quarterback to Sam Darnold.

September 5, 2020: Activated from PUP List

On September 5, 2020, Joe Flacco was activated from the physically unable to perform list at the start of the regular season.

October 7, 2020: Named Jets Starter

On October 7, 2020, Joe Flacco was named the starting quarterback for the Jets against the Cardinals 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: Signed with Philadelphia Eagles

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

October 25, 2021: Traded Back to Jets

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

November 17, 2021: Named Jets Starting Quarterback

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

2021: Signed with Philadelphia Eagles and Traded Back to Jets

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

March 16, 2022: Flacco re-signed with the Jets

On March 16, 2022, Joe Flacco re-signed with the New York Jets for one year and $3.5 million after being announced as the starter for the first three weeks of the season due to an injury to Zach Wilson.

November 20, 2023: Flacco Signed to Browns Practice Squad

On November 20, 2023, Joe Flacco was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad after the starting quarterback, Deshaun Watson, sustained a season-ending injury.

2023: Joined Cleveland Browns

Midway through the 2023 season, Joe Flacco joined the Cleveland Browns after Deshaun Watson's injury and subsequently led Cleveland to a playoff berth and won the Comeback Player of the Year award.

January 13, 2024: Flacco's First Playoff Start Since 2015

On January 13, 2024, Joe Flacco made his first playoff start since 2015 against the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round. The Browns lost 45-14, marking Flacco's first loss in a Wild Card game.

March 22, 2024: Flacco Signed With Colts

On March 22, 2024, Joe Flacco signed with the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year deal as a backup to Anthony Richardson.

April 11, 2025: Flacco Re-signed with Browns

On April 11, 2025, Joe Flacco agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal to return to the Cleveland Browns, entering training camp in a quarterback competition.

October 7, 2025: Flacco traded to Cincinnati Bengals

On October 7, 2025, Joe Flacco, along with a sixth-round pick, was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a fifth-round pick. He immediately became the starter, replacing Jake Browning.