Joe Flacco and the Browns aim for a playoff victory over the Jets.

December 26: A healthy and effective quarterback was all the New York Jets needed in 2023. In retrospect, the Jets may wish they had responded to Joe Flacco’s September knock.

Instead, Flacco waited three more months for a call from the Cleveland Browns while playing catch with his brother an hour away from the Jets’ complex.

Did he ever respond, too?

On Thursday night, Flacco will receive a visit from his former team, the Jets (6-9), with an opportunity to personally deliver a reminder of what could have been for the struggling New York team. Flacco has the Browns (10-5) on the verge of an unlikely playoff bid.

The Browns can guarantee their postseason spot if they defeat the Jets.

We had a brief conversation about it last week. You think to yourself each week when you look at the game, “Man, that’s a big win.” “Another significant one,” Flacco stated.

Flacco took over in Week 13 as the Browns’ fourth quarterback to start this season. He currently has 1,321 yards and 10 touchdowns, which leads the NFL. 2023 will see 10 TD passes for the Jets.

Flacco claimed that after New York and thirty other teams passed, he found the perfect place to join the Browns.

Speaking of his signing with the Browns, Flacco remarked, “You think you are coming into a good situation.” This is a potential outcome. I believe you perceive this as a rather favorable circumstance from the outside. It’s even better than you could have imagined when you arrive.”

The Jets anticipated being in this situation, but Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback with a great deal of experience, would be in charge. A championship-caliber defense alone was insufficient in Rodgers’ absence to reliably produce victories with quarterbacks Trevor Siemian, Zach Wilson, and Tim Boyle.