Veteran QB Joe Flacco Looks To Aid Colts Richardson

The Indianapolis Colts have added some veteran experience to their quarterback room for the 2024 season. Veteran signal caller Joe Flacco has signed a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million to join the Colts, per multiple reports. The 39-year-old Flacco will serve as the backup to second-year QB Anthony Richardson and also look to mentor the young quarterback.

After a promising rookie season was cut short by injuries, Anthony Richardson will look to take a step forward in his development in 2024. Adding a veteran like Flacco provides stability if Richardson faces any setbacks from injury while also giving the young QB a seasoned pro to learn from. Flacco has over a decade of NFL starting experience, including a Super Bowl MVP award, and can help Richardson with his mechanics, film study, and mental preparation.

Flacco’s Experience Will Benefit Richardson’s Development

The 2023 season will be pivotal for Anthony Richardson to show he can stay healthy and continue improving. Having Flacco there to help with his progression is a big boost for the Colts. Flacco showed late in the 2023 season with the Browns that he still has the arm strength and football IQ to compete at a high level if called upon. But his primary role in Indianapolis will be to help Richardson sharpen all aspects of his game and prepare to be the Colts’ franchise quarterback.

At 39, Flacco is near the end of his playing career but can still provide valuable guidance to a young signal caller. This one-year deal allows the Colts to bring Flacco in solely to support Richardson without disrupting the team’s long-term plans under center. If Richardson takes a step forward, it will be due in part to having a respected veteran like Flacco there to help him every step of the way both on and off the field.