History of Joe Flacco in Timeline

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

1963: Oldest player to win Comeback Player of the Year

In 1963, Jim Martin was the oldest player to win Comeback Player of the Year before Joe Flacco won the award in 2024.

January 16, 1985: Joe Flacco's Birth

On January 16, 1985, Joseph Vincent Flacco was born. He is now a professional football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

1987: Doug Flutie's previous record

In 1987, Doug Flutie previously had the record for the longest gap between playoff starts. He had a 12-year gap from 1987 to 1999.

1999: Doug Flutie's previous record

In 1999, Doug Flutie had a 12 year gap from 1987 to 1999 between playoff starts.

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.

January 2009: Named Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year

In January 2009, Joe Flacco was named the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year.

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: Brother Drafted by Orioles

In 2009, Joe Flacco's brother Mike was selected in the 31st round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Baltimore Orioles.

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".

2011: Flacco's Marriage to Dana

In 2011, Joe Flacco married his wife Dana in a Catholic ceremony.

April 2012: Flacco's controversial statement

In April 2012, Joe Flacco stated that he believed he was the best quarterback in the NFL, sparking controversy and mockery at the time.

June 2012: Birth of First Child

In June 2012, Joe and Dana Flacco's first child, a son, was born.

January 6, 2013: Wild Card Round against the Indianapolis Colts

On January 6, 2013, in the Wild Card round against the Indianapolis Colts, Joe Flacco finished the game with a career postseason-high 125.6 passer rating, with 12 of 23 for 282 yards, two touchdowns and a 24-9 win at home.

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.

January 20, 2013: AFC Championship Win

On January 20, 2013, Joe Flacco and the Ravens won the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots with a score of 28-13, securing their spot in the 2013 Super Bowl. Flacco threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

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.

September 15, 2013: Birth of Second Son

On September 15, 2013, Joe and Dana Flacco's second son was born, about an hour before the Ravens' home opener.

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.

January 2015: Birth of Third Son

In January 2015, Joe and Dana Flacco's third son was born, causing Flacco to decline his Pro Bowl invitation.

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: Pro Bowl Invitation Declined

In 2015, Joe Flacco turned down the opportunity to play in the Pro Bowl due to his wife, Dana, expecting the couple's third child that month.

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.

2015: Tom Flacco Enrolls at Western Michigan University

In 2015, Joe Flacco's youngest brother, Tom Flacco, enrolled at Western Michigan University, where he played quarterback.

2015: Pick-Six Interception Against Broncos

In 2015, during a game against the Broncos, Joe Flacco threw a pass that was intercepted by Aqib Talib and returned for a 51-yard touchdown, marking Flacco's first pick-six since the 2013 season finale. Later in the game, with less than a minute remaining, Flacco threw another interception, ending the game for the Ravens.

March 2, 2016: Contract Extension with Ravens

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

September 2016: Birth of Daughter

In September 2016, Joe and Dana Flacco's only daughter was born.

January 2017: Elected Most Attractive Player in NFL

In January 2017, Joe Flacco was elected as the most attractive player in the NFL in a survey by Fanatics.

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.

2017: Tom Flacco Transfers to Rutgers

In 2017, Joe Flacco's brother, Tom, transferred to Rutgers University after playing at Western Michigan University.

April 2018: Birth of Fourth Son

In April 2018, Joe and Dana Flacco's fourth son was born.

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: Tom Flacco Transfers to Towson

In 2018, Joe Flacco's brother, Tom, transferred to Towson University after playing at Rutgers University.

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: Selling Reisterstown Home

In 2019, Joe Flacco sold his home in Reisterstown, Maryland, for $1.6 million after being traded to the Denver Broncos.

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.

April 2020: Neck Surgery

In April 2020, Joe Flacco underwent neck surgery.

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.

2021: Tom Flacco Signs with Saskatchewan Roughriders

In 2021, Joe Flacco's brother, Tom, was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

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.