Current NFL quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes are locks to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But what about Joe Flacco? The Indianapolis Colts veteran is certainly not a shoo-in to be enshrined in Canton like Rodgers and Mahomes. Yet, he should become a serious candidate down the road.
Flacco is now in his 17th NFL season. His resume includes a Super Bowl victory, Super Bowl MVP, and a Comeback Player of the Year Award. The 39-year-old’s career will likely come to a close soon. Will he eventually make the Hall of Fame?
Colts’ Joe Flacco Could Be a Future Hall of Fame Candidate
Looking Back at Flacco’s Career
Joe Flacco didn’t play for a larger-than-life college program like Ohio State or Alabama. Instead, he was a small school sensation at the University of Delaware.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Flacco with the 18th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He started all 16 games as a rookie, posting an impressive 11-5 record. He also threw for 2,971 passing yards and 16 touchdowns.
In addition, Flacco led the Ravens to the playoffs during his first year. He became just the third rookie quarterback in history to win his first postseason start and the first to do it on the road, as the Ravens beat the Miami Dolphins. He then became the first rookie signal-caller to win two postseason games, as Baltimore defeated the Tennessee Titans. Flacco and Co. lost, though, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.
Flacco helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl during the 2012 season. He was named MVP of the game, throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns in the 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Although he won Super Bowl MVP during the 2012 campaign, 2016 would prove to be the best season of Flacco’s career. That year, he threw for 4,317 yards (career-high) and 20 touchdowns. It was the lone 4,000-yard season of his career.
Flacco’s tenure in Baltimore came to an end following the 2018 season. After stints with the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles, he signed with the Cleveland Browns late in the 2023 season. The injury-riddled Browns were in desperate need of quarterback help. Flacco wound up taking Cleveland to the playoffs that year and won Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Is Joe Flacco Hall of Fame Worthy?
Joe Flacco, of course, signed with the Colts before this season. He was brought in to replace Gardner Minshew and back up Anthony Richardson. However, he ended up becoming the starter once Richardson was benched.
It’s unclear whether Flacco will start for the remainder of the season. The Colts are currently 4-5 and are in the playoff race. If Flacco somehow leads the team to the postseason, his Hall of Fame chances could get higher.
For his career, Flacco has thrown for 44,831 yards (17th all-time), and 252 touchdowns (25th). One can make a case for him being Hall of Fame worthy. Yet, at the end of the day, don’t expect him to make it. He’s had a very good career, but not a great one.
Main Image: Andrew Nelles – USA Today Sports
