Jacksonville Jaguars v Cleveland Browns
Joe Flacco (#15) of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. Jason Miller/Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns will lean on Joe Flacco to quarterback for the rest of the season. This was announced by Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on Sunday, December 10, after Cleveland's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, 31-27.

The Browns signed Flacco after Deshaun Watson suffered a broken bone in his throwing shoulder in the Browns win over the Baltimore Ravens, 33-31, NFL.com reported. The 28-year-old underwent season-ending surgery in November.

The Browns' QB problems worsened when a concussion sidelined backup play-caller Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Thankfully, Flacco has responded well despite not being active for some time.

Flacco is stepping up big-time

The Super Bowl champion QB has made a good account of himself in his two starts with the team. Despite Cleveland's 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on December 3, he held up well.

Flacco fared better against the Jags, completing 26 of 45 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns as the Browns won, 31-27. In his first two starts, Flacco has thrown 565 yards and five touchdowns.

Flacco's unexpected good play has given Stefanski and the Browns a new lease on life. Better yet, they are expecting the 18th pick of the 2008 NFL Draft to get even better, SI.com reported.

"I think you expect him to get better as he gets more comfortable in our system with our players, those types of things. But we just talked about him and all of our guys doing their job, giving us their best and I thought that's what he did," Stefanski said.

The Browns have the tools both offensively and defensively. Flacco doesn't have to do much - other than keep the team together and avoid mistakes for the rest of the way.