Joe Flacco will bring no animosity with him back to Baltimore.
The former Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl MVP will suit up in a different uniform for the first time in M&T Bank Stadium Sunday as the starter for the Cleveland Browns.
Now 40 years old and in his 18th season, Flacco is looking forward to what will likely be an emotional return for fans and even "Joe Cool" himself.
"I'm fortunate to be where I am today and be in this position, but I have nothing but love for that city and for that organization," Flacco told Browns reporters Wednesday.
"I was a small-school guy that they took a little bit of a chance on early on in the draft. I have so many good memories with those people and that city and that stadium. It's a very special place."
The love goes both ways. When Flacco went on a playoff run with the Browns two years ago, Ravens fans were emotionally torn about whether to root for a divisional rival or not. There are still framed photos and artwork of Flacco hanging around the Under Armour Performance Center.
Drafted 18th overall out of Delaware in 2008, Flacco was the team's first homegrown franchise quarterback and he helped lead Baltimore to massive success for a decade (2008 to 2018). "January Joe" recorded 10 playoff wins as a Raven, none better than his historic run in the 2012 playoffs that was capped by a Super Bowl XLVII victory.
Flacco threw 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions in four games during that playoff gauntlet, which is still tied with Joe Montana for the best playoff stretch ever. Flacco was rewarded with the richest contract in NFL history the following offseason.
But tougher seasons, injuries, and ultimately the arrival of Lamar Jackson meant it was time for a change following the 2018 season. Flacco's hip injury midway through that season opened the door for Jackson, who rallied the Ravens into the playoffs.
When Jackson struggled in his first career playoff game and the Ravens considered making a mid-game quarterback change, Flacco supported the decision to stick with the rookie signal-caller. The Ravens traded Flacco to the Denver Broncos that offseason, and Jackson then won his first MVP.
"It's one of those things. In the NFL, there's a business side of it," Flacco said. "Things happen. … We were on good terms when I left."
Flacco has played for the Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020-2022), Browns (2023), and Colts (2024) since leaving Baltimore.
Cleveland brought him back again this offseason, hoping he can lead a young quarterback group and find the same magic he had when he pushed the Browns into the 2023 playoffs with a late-season surge.
The Ravens faced Flacco once before in a Week 1 opener at MetLife Stadium when he was with the Jets. Flacco slung a whopping 59 passes that day and completed 37 for 309 yards and one touchdown. Former Ravens safety Marcus Williams picked off Flacco in the first quarter and the Ravens rolled to a 24-9 victory.
Sunday's game will feel different being at M&T Stadium, where the Ravens will have a gaggle of alumni back to celebrate the launch of the team's 30th season. Flacco said having so many former teammates back in the building "kind of makes it more exciting."
"You kind of try to act normal, but it is a big deal," Flacco said. "You do want to go beat them."
