History of Joe Flacco in Timeline

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

January 16, 1985: Joe Flacco's Birth

On January 16, 1985, Joe Flacco was born in Voorhees Township, New Jersey.

1995: Steve McNair Drafted

In the 1995 NFL draft, Steve McNair became the first Division I-FCS quarterback selected in the first round.

2001: Start of QB Careers

In 2001, both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady began their careers as starting quarterbacks.

2003: Redshirted Freshman Year

In 2003, Joe Flacco was redshirted as a freshman for the Pittsburgh Panthers football team.

2003: Recruited as Quarterback Prospect

In 2003, Joe Flacco was regarded as a three-star recruit and listed as No. 39 among quarterback prospects by Rivals.com.

2004: Backup Quarterback

In 2004, Joe Flacco served as the backup quarterback for the Pittsburgh Panthers, seeing action in three games.

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: First Home Opener Loss Since 2005

In 2014, the Ravens loss to the Bengals marked the first time since 2005 that the Ravens lost their home opener.

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.

2006: First Full-Time Action

During the 2006 season, Joe Flacco saw his first full-time action at the University of Delaware, throwing for 2,783 yards and 18 touchdowns.

2007: Successful Season at Delaware

In the 2007 season, Joe Flacco led his team to an 8-3 regular-season record, compiling 4,263 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also led Delaware to the FCS National Championship Game, where they lost.

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.

January 2009: NFL Rookie of the Year

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

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: Sanchez defeated Brady and Manning

In 2010 Mark Sanchez became the first NFL quarterback to defeat both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the same postseason since they became starting quarterbacks in 2001.

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.

2011: Divisional Round Loss to Steelers

In 2011, Joe Flacco and the Ravens lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs despite getting an early lead.

April 2012: Statement About Being Best NFL Quarterback

In April 2012, Joe Flacco stated that he was the best quarterback in the NFL, which was almost universally mocked.

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.

January 6, 2013: Wild Card Victory Over Colts

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

January 20, 2013: AFC Championship Victory

On January 20, 2013, Joe Flacco and the Ravens won the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots, securing their spot in the 2013 Super Bowl.

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.

2013: First Pick-Six Since 2013 Season Finale

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

2014: Invited to 2015 Pro Bowl

For his performance during the 2014 season, Joe Flacco was invited to the 2015 Pro Bowl as an alternate, but he declined because his wife was due to give birth to their third child in the same month.

2014: Pro Bowl Invitation

In 2014 Joe Flacco received an invitation to the Pro Bowl.

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.

2014: Ravens Lose Home Opener to Bengals

In the 2014 season home opener, the Ravens lost to the Bengals 16-23. Joe Flacco threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith Sr., the longest of his career at the time, but the Bengals won with a 77-yard touchdown pass from Andy Dalton to A.J. Green. Flacco completed 35 of 62 passes for 345 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

January 2015: Never Selected for Pro Bowl

Prior to January 2015, Joe Flacco had never been selected for the Pro Bowl.

2015: Torn ACL and MCL Ends Season

During a game versus the Rams in Week 11 of 2015, Joe Flacco suffered a torn ACL and MCL, prematurely ending his season. He completed the drive, leading to a game-winning field goal, resulting in a 16-13 victory for the Ravens.

2015: Declined 2015 Pro Bowl Invitation

In 2015, Joe Flacco declined an invitation to the Pro Bowl because his wife was due to give birth to their third child in the same month.

2015: Ranked 97th in NFL Top 100 Players

In 2015, Joe Flacco was ranked number 97 on the NFL Top 100 Players list, a drop of 39 spots from his previous year's ranking of 58.

2015: Rough Start to 2015 Season Against Broncos

In the 2015 season opener against the Broncos, Joe Flacco threw a pick-six and another interception in the final minute, leading to a 19-13 loss. This was his first pick-six since the 2013 season finale.

2015: Pro Bowl Invitation Declined

Joe Flacco was invited to the 2015 Pro Bowl following the 2014 season, but he declined.

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.

July 26, 2017: Diagnosed with Back Injury

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

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.

April 2020: Undergoes Neck Surgery

In April 2020, Joe Flacco underwent neck surgery.

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.

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 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 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.