Joe Flacco on Returning to Baltimore to Face Ravens: 'It Doesn't Get Much Better Than That'
Joe Flacco has played against the Ravens once since they traded him after the 2018 season. The game was at MetLife Stadium in 2022 when Flacco was with the New York Jets.
Having been named the Browns’ starting quarterback this week, the 40-year-old Flacco is set to play his first game as a visitor at M&T Bank Stadium when the Ravens host Cleveland in Baltimore's Week 2 home opener.
Flacco revealed his thoughts about returning to his old stomping grounds during a media session with Browns reporters Tuesday.
"I'd love playing in Baltimore," said Flacco, who spent the first 11 years of his career with the Ravens. "Such a special place, unbelievable fans, division game. It doesn't get much better than that. That is what the plan is and it definitely would be very exciting."
Head Coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that Flacco's homecoming "obviously will be a big story."
"[I have] a lot of respect for Joe," Harbaugh said. "We'll try to just focus on playing the best game we can, but we know Joe can sling it."
Flacco, now in his 18th season, said he "feels as good as I ever have."
"I really do feel great," he said. "My arm feels as good as ever. My legs feel really good right now to do the things I'm going to have to do, so I feel ready to go."
Flacco, who led the 2012 Ravens to a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII and was named the game's MVP, has not started a game at M&T Bank Stadium since Nov. 4, 2018. He suffered a hip injury during that contest, which opened the door for Lamar Jackson to take over as the Ravens' starter.
After leaving the Ravens, Flacco spent time with the Denver Broncos, Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Browns, and Indianapolis Colts.
Flacco started the Browns' final five games in 2023, winning four and leading them to a wild-card berth. In those five games, he threw 13 touchdown passes, eight interceptions, and averaged a career-high 323.2 passing yards per game.
Flacco went 2-4 as a starter with the Colts last season before re-signing with Cleveland this offseason.
In Flacco's one start against the Ravens, he went 37-for-59 for 309 yards with a touchdown and an interception as Baltimore beat the Jets, 24-9.
Pundit Explains Why Ravens Are Not No. 1 in His Offensive Team Rankings
The Ringer’s Sheil Kapadia put the Ravens at No. 2 in his ranking of all 32 offenses. The only reason he didn't have them at No. 1 is his feeling that they're likely to have more injury issues than last season.
"According to expected points added (EPA) per drive, the Ravens had the NFL's best offense last year, and they're pretty much bringing everyone back," Kapadia wrote. "Among the 12 players who logged at least 400 offensive snaps for the Ravens in 2024, 11 will return (guard Patrick Mekari is the only exception).
"If you think that the Ravens should be ranked first here, I can't argue with you. But something to keep in mind: They had the best injury luck of any offense in the NFL last season and the best injury luck of any team since 2017, according to FTN's data. In other words, it seems likely that they'll face at least a little more adversity and will need their backups to contribute in 2025 in a way they didn't last season. I'm predicting a slight step back, but this still looks like an elite unit."
Kapadia's point about injury luck is well taken, and hopefully the Ravens' playmakers stay healthy (that sound you hear is me knocking on wood). However, it's worth noting that the Ravens have enviable depth.
Keaton Mitchell, who looks as explosive as he did in 2023, is third on the running back depth chart behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. Behind wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, the Ravens have a contested catch monster in five-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins, and a second-year player who appears poised to make a leap in Devontez Walker.
The Ravens also have the most talented tight end trio in the league in Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar, and a solid group of offensive linemen.
The only offense Kapadia ranked ahead of the Ravens was the Buffalo Bills.
Two Ravens Make Top 25 Players 25-and-Under Rankings
The Athletic sought input from nearly two dozen NFL front office members, scouts, and coaches to rank the top 25 players 25-and-under. Safety Kyle Hamilton, 24, and center Tyler Linderbaum, 25, both first-round picks in 2022, made the list.
Hamilton was No. 9 and Linderbaum No. 23.
"The two-time Pro Bowl selection ranks among the best safeties in the league thanks to a blend of size, athleticism and versatility," The Athletic's Mike Jones wrote. "He's all over the field, also lining up at slot corner, inside linebacker and edge rusher at times. Hamilton earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and was second-team All-Pro in 2024.
"[Linderbaum] last season anchored the line that paved the way for Derrick Henry's 1,921 rushing yards, and Lamar Jackson's MVP-caliber season and went onto reach the Pro Bowl for the second time in as many seasons."4
Ravens Projected to Still Be Among Elite Teams Five Years From Now
Hamilton and Linderbaum are key pieces for a Ravens team that is built to contend now and into the future. Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano projected which teams are best positioned to win five years from now, and the Ravens were No. 4.
"They have been a model of stability since they hired John Harbaugh in 2008, and there's no reason to think that's going to change," Vacchiano wrote. "Yes, he's already been their coach for 17 years, but there's no indication he won't still be roaming their sidelines in five years at age 67. They obviously have a stable front office behind GM Eric DeCosta, a Ravens lifer in his 11th season.
"And while they will have to deal with Lamar Jackson's contract after next season, he'll only be 33 and probably still just as dangerous in five years. They'll have to replace some key pieces in the next few years, like RB Derrick Henry, but the Ravens do a good job of reloading on the fly. They also currently have seven former first-round picks on defense — four of whom are 26 or under. Some of them will be a part of their future defensive core."
Pundit Says Ravens Have Safest Floor in AFC
NFL.com’s Ali Bhanpuri and Adam Rank predicted every game of the 2025 season. Both had the Ravens making the playoffs, with Bhanpuri being especially bullish on Baltimore.
Bhanpuri had the Ravens starting 8-0 and finishing with a 14-3 record and the No. 2 seed in the AFC behind the 15-2 Bills. The Ravens' losses were at the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10, at the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15, and at the Green Bay Packers in Week 17.
Rank predicted the Ravens to go 11-6 and earn a wild-card berth as the sixth seed. He had the Bengals also going 11-6 to win the AFC North.
"The Ravens have the safest floor of just about any team in the AFC (maybe the Bills have a slight edge)," Rank wrote. "Baltimore is going to make the playoffs. Really, it's just a matter of seeding. I might not be as hyped about the Ravens as Ali, but I certainly don't have much of an argument against his prediction."
