Only two quarterbacks in the NFL playoffs have more than four playoff wins: Patrick Mahomes and Joe Flacco, who have a combined three Super Bowl wins.
The two have combined for three Super Bowl wins, but the circumstances are a bit different for Mahomes and Flacco this season. Mahomes is a reigning MVP and led the Chiefs to a championship a year ago. Flacco was at home with his family until late November when the Browns gave him a spot on their practice squad.
The rest is history. The 39-year-old Flacco went 4-1 as Cleveland's starter after Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury, throwing for more than 300 yards in four of his five starts despite drawing little interest leading up to the season.
If Flacco continues his winning ways and guides the Browns to playoff success, he's set to earn himself some serious money.
MORE: Complete timeline of Joe Flacco's NFL teams
Here's a breakdown of Flacco's unique contract situation with the Browns.
Joe Flacco contract breakdownFlacco signed a one-year contract with the Browns on Dec. 14 after spending three weeks on the team's practice squad with weekly elevations to the active roster.
The deal came with a base salary of $370,800, but the Browns gave Flacco a contract heavy on incentives along with a $400,000 signing bonus.
Flacco earned $75,000 for each regular season win the rest of the way, picking up a total of $225,000 for wins over the Bears, Texans, and Jets.
Now, Flacco has a chance to earn considerably more money in the playoffs.
Joe Flacco contract incentivesFlacco would make an additional $250,000 if the Browns defeat the Texans in the wild-card orund on Saturday, and he would bring in even more money if Cleveland made a deep playoff run. Below is the full breakdown.
Achievement Incentive Wild-card win $250,000 Divisional-round win $500,000 AFC championship win $1 million Super Bowl win $2 millionMORE: Does Kevin Stefanski deserve Coach of the Year honors?
Will Joe Flacco play for the Browns in 2024?Flacco is not under contract in 2024, but it's hard to imagine the former Ravens starter not securing a spot on an NFL roster if he wants one, even in his age-40 season.
Would that be with the Browns? Only time will tell, but the marriage has been successful to this point. Cleveland still appears set to run it back with Deshaun Watson at quarterback next season, given there isn't a conceivable way to move on from him with his massive guaranteed contract, but Flacco likely isn't going to be an ideal starting option at his age even with the success he's had over five starts in 2023.
As long as Flacco wants to continue playing football, he's proven that he can be a valuable asset to any quarterback room.
Joe Flacco stats 2023 Starts Record Completion rate Yards TD INT 5 4-1 60.3% 1,616 13 8Flacco threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in just five starts, a 17-game pace of 5,494 yards and 44 touchdowns.
While that pace isn't sustainable and interceptions are high, Flacco far outpaced all other Browns quarterbacks this season. Cleveland averaged 28.6 points per game across his five starts.
