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 Cleveland Browns. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft after playing college football for Pittsburgh and Delaware. He is known for his strong arm and ability to make deep throws. Flacco led the Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XLVII, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Prior to joining the Browns in 2023, he had stints with the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2004: Playoff Misses

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

2005: Ravens Lost Home Opener

In 2005, the Ravens lost their home opener; this was the first time since 2005 that the Ravens lost their home opener.

2005: Playoff Misses

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: Flacco Signed a Five-Year Contract with Ravens

On July 16, 2008, Joe Flacco signed a five-year contract with the Ravens, with a maximum value of around $30 million and $8.75 million guaranteed.

2008: Flacco Signs with Reebok

In 2008, Joe Flacco signed a three-year contract with Reebok.

2009: Flacco Becomes Spokesperson for Pizza Hut

In 2009, Joe Flacco became a spokesperson for Pizza Hut, which sold a product called "Flacco's Favorites".

2009: Best Record After Three Games Since 2009

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

2010: Flacco's Pizza Hut Spokesperson Role Continues

In 2010, Joe Flacco continued as a spokesperson for Pizza Hut, promoting "Flacco's Favorites".

January 2013: Flacco Endorses Haribo and McDonald's

In January 2013, Joe Flacco endorsed Haribo and signed an endorsement deal with McDonald's to promote the Mighty Wings.

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. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, earning him the game's Most Valuable Player award and a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. With his performance he also tied for first place on the list of most consecutive playoff games with at least three touchdown passes (3 games).

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

On March 4, 2013, Joe Flacco signed a six-year contract worth $120.6 million, making him the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history at the time. Although, this record was surpassed within months by Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan.

2013: Statistically Worst Season

In 2013, Joe Flacco experienced his statistically worst season in the NFL, marked by throwing more interceptions than touchdowns for the first time in his career. He threw 22 interceptions, 19 touchdowns, and had a career-low passer rating of 73.1. Despite setting a career high in passing yards (3,912), the Ravens finished 8–8 and missed the playoffs.

2013: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2013, Joe Flacco was ranked 19th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list, marking a high point in his career recognition.

2013: Last Pick-Six Interception

In 2013, it was Joe Flacco's last Pick-Six Interception.

2014: Home Opener Loss Against Bengals

During the 2014 season home opener against the Bengals, Joe Flacco threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith Sr., marking the longest touchdown throw of his career at the time. Despite this, the Ravens lost the game 16-23, marking their first home opener loss since 2005. Flacco completed 35 of 62 passes for 345 yards with one touchdown and one interception, resulting in 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). He also tied his mark for the second-fewest interceptions thrown in a regular season (12). From Weeks 2 through 4, Flacco was not sacked at all, and his passer rating was consistently high, leading Baltimore to a 10-6 record.

2014: Pro Bowl Invitation

In 2014, Joe Flacco was invited to the 2015 Pro Bowl as an alternate due to his performance that season.

2014: NFL Top 100 Ranking

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

2015: Season-Ending Injuries

During the Week 11 game against the Rams in 2015, Joe Flacco suffered a torn ACL and MCL, ending his season. Despite the injuries, he completed the drive, leading the Ravens to a 16-13 win.

2015: First playoff start since 2015

In 2015, Joe Flacco had his last playoff start before January 13, 2024.

2015: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2015, Joe Flacco was ranked number 97 on the NFL Top 100 Players list, marking his lowest ranking and a drop of 39 spots from the previous year.

March 2, 2016: Contract Extension with Ravens

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

July 26, 2017: Back Injury Diagnosis

On July 26, 2017, Joe Flacco was diagnosed with a back injury, which sidelined him for 3–6 weeks of training camp.

September 9, 2018: Season-Opening Win Against Bills

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

2018: Donation to University of Delaware Athletics

In 2018, Joe Flacco made a donation of an undisclosed amount to University of Delaware athletics.

2018: Backup Quarterback Role

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

February 13, 2019: Trade Agreement to Denver 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: Trade to Broncos Becomes Official

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

2019: First winning start since 2019 season

In 2019, Joe Flacco had his first winning start since the 2019 season.

2019: Broncos Season

In 2019, Joe Flacco threw for 1,822 passing yards, six touchdowns, five interceptions, and an 85.1 passer rating in eight games. He suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 8 against the Colts.

March 19, 2020: Broncos Release Flacco

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

May 27, 2020: Signed with New York Jets

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

July 30, 2020: Placed on Physically Unable to Perform List

On July 30, 2020, Joe Flacco was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp.

September 5, 2020: Activated from PUP List

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

October 7, 2020: Named Starter Against Cardinals

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

2020: Back Up Position

In 2021, Joe Flacco signed a one-year contract 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, $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 Philadelphia Eagles traded Joe Flacco back to the New York Jets for a conditional sixth-round draft pick due to Zach Wilson's knee injury.

November 17, 2021: Named Starting Quarterback

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

March 16, 2022: Flacco Re-Signs with Jets

On March 16, 2022, Joe Flacco re-signed with the New York Jets for one year with a $3.5 million contract.

November 20, 2023: Flacco signs with Cleveland Browns

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

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

On January 13, 2024, Joe Flacco started his first playoff game since 2015 against the Texans, which resulted in a 45-14 loss for the Browns despite a strong first half.