Insider: Joe Flacco 'In Play' For Steelers, Browns, and Vikings

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a wide open hole on their roster at the quarterback position. The organization failed to re-sign Justin Fields, and the franchise is essentially being held hostage by Aaron Rodgers as he continues to take his time making a decision on his future. The quarterback is deciding between playing for Pittsburgh or the New York Giants, while retirement and the Minnesota Vikings could also be on the table. Pittsburgh's fan base is on edge as the NFL world awaits a decision from the 41-year-old, but the organization is making sure it has backup plans.

Going into free agency, the only quarterback Pittsburgh had on the roster was Skylar Thompson. The franchise brought back Mason Rudolph on a two-year deal, and he is expected to be the backup to whoever is brought in to be the starter. In the worst case scenario, the organization is also comfortable with Rudolph starting, but that would not be ideal.

If the Rodgers-decision does not go Pittsburgh's way, another veteran option the Steelers should be expected to pursue is Joe Flacco. This was initially reported by Mike Florio on Saturday via Pro Football Talk.

"Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson are getting the headlines." Florio wrote. "Joe Flacco is waiting patiently to see how it plays out. Flacco recently visited the Giants. He’s in play, we’re told, for jobs with the Steelers, Browns, and Vikings."

Russell Wilson is waiting on Rodgers to make his decision, as he could be considered the second option in both Pittsburgh and New York. Rodgers will be the first domino to fall, but since Flacco is likely going to be signed by someone as a backup, he could sign whenever. If the Steelers decide they have had enough of being strung along by Rodgers, Flacco is an experienced option who could provide Rudolph with some competition.

Flacco has had an interesting several stages of his career. He was one of the better quarterbacks in the league when he was with the Baltimore Ravens, but was then released a year after the organization drafted Lamar Jackson. He moved on to play for the Denver Broncos, but that experiment did not work out. He has since been viewed as a backup, but he has been highly effective when he has had to step on the gridiron.

The veteran quarterback is most well known in recent years for his heroics in 2023 to lead the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs. This won Flacco the NFL's Comeback Player Of The Year Award, and he then signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024. He saw a decent amount of playing time, but did not have the same amount of success with the Colts that he did with the Browns, despite beating the Steelers.

Steelers Could Sign Joe Flacco As A Low-Risk Option

Flacco is about as low-risk of an option as it gets for the Steelers, although it would be bizarre seeing him in the black and gold. The veteran could serve as a backup to Rudolph, or he can be the experienced mentor in the room if the Steelers do end up drafting a quarterback. Flacco should be relatively cheap, which Florio pointed out.

"Eventually, he’ll get an offer." Florio wrote. "Maybe more than one. And if the Steelers are looking to go cheaper than Rodgers at the position, Flacco could be their best move. It also would bring Flacco back to the place where his college career began. Yes, Flacco was at Pitt until Tyler Palko arrived. He then parlayed three years at Delaware into a first-round pedigree and had a very good run with the Ravens. Now, the Ravens could be seeing him twice in 2025, as the quarterback of their most hated rival."

It all depends on what Rodgers decides to do for his future, but Flacco in Pittsburgh is a real possibility in 2025. There is a chance Flacco will hold off on signing so that he doesn't have to go through training camp with a team, but he could be on the Steelers at some point during the 2025 offseason.

What do you think about the Steelers' interest in Flacco? Let us know in the comments below!

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