The Ravens may face Joe Flacco twice in 2025 after the former Super Bowl MVP and longtime Baltimore quarterback signed a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Browns.

In the ever-evolving world of the NFL, it’s not uncommon for players to change teams, but certain moves stir up more emotions and stories than others. One of those moves occurred when Joe Flacco, former Super Bowl MVP and longtime Baltimore Ravens quarterback, signed a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Browns in 2025. This surprising move immediately turned heads in the NFL, especially given the immense history between Flacco and the Ravens.

While the Browns are hoping the veteran presence of Flacco will add depth to their quarterback room, Ravens fans are left to wonder how this development could affect their team—particularly with two high-stakes matchups scheduled between these bitter AFC North rivals in the 2025 season. For fans and analysts alike, these upcoming games between the Ravens and the Browns now have an added layer of intrigue: Joe Flacco will be facing his former team in a Browns uniform.

The Return of Joe Flacco: A Look Back at His Legacy

Joe Flacco’s journey through the NFL is marked by moments of greatness, and it all started in Baltimore, where he was drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Over his 11 seasons in Baltimore, Flacco became a franchise icon. His most significant achievement came in Super Bowl XLVII, where he led the Ravens to a victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Flacco was named the Super Bowl MVP, earning a reputation as one of the league’s best postseason quarterbacks.

Flacco’s strong arm, calm demeanor under pressure, and knack for delivering in clutch moments made him a beloved figure in Baltimore. Over the years, he broke numerous franchise records, including passing yards, touchdowns, and wins, and helped the Ravens consistently contend for championships. His 2012 Super Bowl run was the peak of his career, and the city of Baltimore still holds a great deal of respect for what he achieved during his tenure.

However, after the 2018 season, Flacco’s time in Baltimore came to an end. The Ravens had selected Lamar Jackson in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and Jackson’s dynamic playmaking ability quickly turned him into the future of the franchise. Flacco was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2019, and his career took another turn with stops in New York with the Jets and eventually Cleveland in 2023.

Despite the shift in his career, Flacco’s return to the Browns in 2025 brings him full circle. The decision for Flacco to sign with Cleveland signals that he may still have something left to offer, and his experience will be vital to a team hoping to compete in the competitive AFC North.

The Browns’ Quarterback Situation: Why They Signed Flacco

Cleveland’s quarterback situation in 2025 is a bit more uncertain than one might expect for a team looking to contend for a playoff spot. In recent years, the Browns have struggled to find consistency under center, despite the high hopes surrounding Deshaun Watson when they traded for him in 2022. Watson, once regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, has yet to recapture his form in Cleveland, and now the situation is further complicated by a recurring Achilles injury that may cause him to miss a significant amount of time.

In light of Watson’s injury issues, the Browns signed Flacco to a one-year deal worth up to $13 million, with additional performance-based incentives. The contract is structured to give Flacco a chance to prove himself once again as a reliable starter, but it also acts as a security blanket in case Watson’s injury situation worsens.

Flacco’s extensive experience in the league, particularly his deep playoff runs and leadership qualities, make him an attractive option for the Browns, even if he isn’t quite the player he was during his prime. The Browns are hoping that his veteran presence will help stabilize a quarterback position that has been a constant question mark since Baker Mayfield’s departure in 2022.

Joe Flacco vs. Lamar Jackson: A Tale of Two Quarterbacks

Perhaps the most interesting element of Flacco’s return to Cleveland is the stark contrast between his playing style and the Ravens’ current quarterback, Lamar Jackson. The two quarterbacks could not be more different. While Flacco is known for his traditional pocket-passing style, relying on his strong arm and deep ball accuracy, Jackson is one of the most dynamic and electrifying players in NFL history. Jackson’s ability to make plays with his legs and his dual-threat capabilities have revolutionized the Ravens’ offense, making him one of the most unique quarterbacks in the league.

This contrast in playing styles isn’t just a football debate; it has been central to the Ravens’ identity since Jackson’s rise to stardom. Flacco, once the face of the franchise, was a pocket passer in an era of strong-arm quarterbacks. Jackson, on the other hand, represents a shift toward versatility and athleticism. As a result, the Ravens’ offense in 2025 will look far different than the one Flacco once led.

However, with Flacco now signed to the Browns, there is a possibility that the two quarterbacks could face off twice during the regular season. Flacco vs. Jackson would not only be an intriguing matchup of football philosophies, but it would also serve as a symbolic battle between the past and the present for the Ravens. Jackson has been Baltimore’s franchise player since Flacco’s departure, but Flacco’s legacy still looms large in the city. If the Ravens were to face the Browns twice in 2025 with Flacco at the helm, the matchups would undoubtedly be filled with storylines, making them some of the most anticipated games of the season.

The 2025 NFL Schedule: A New Chapter for Ravens vs. Browns

As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the schedule is eagerly awaited by fans, media, and analysts alike. The Ravens are scheduled to face the Cleveland Browns twice during the regular season. These matchups will not only be crucial for AFC North standings but now carry an added significance. For the first time since Flacco’s departure, he will line up against the team that drafted him, his long-time home, and the city that adored him.

The two games between the Ravens and the Browns in 2025 will likely be intense. The AFC North has always been known for its physical, defensive-minded football, and with Flacco facing the Ravens once again, there will be an added layer of intrigue. Flacco knows the Ravens’ system inside and out, and while his role with the Browns will be in question (whether as a backup or starter), it’s clear that he’ll bring his knowledge and experience to the table.

In addition to the football narrative, these games are bound to hold emotional weight for both Flacco and Ravens fans. For Flacco, it will be a chance to show that he still has what it takes to compete at a high level in the NFL. For Ravens fans, it’s an opportunity to relive the glory days of their Super Bowl run and see how their team has evolved since Flacco’s departure.

The Ravens’ Perspective: Preparing for the Flacco Challenge

For the Ravens, the challenge of facing Flacco twice in 2025 will be unique. Baltimore’s defense, which has long been known for its physicality and ability to shut down opposing offenses, will now have to adapt to a quarterback who is not only a former Raven but also one of the most accomplished postseason quarterbacks of the 21st century.

Despite being in the twilight of his career, Flacco’s deep ball accuracy and ability to manage a game are not to be underestimated. If he is indeed named the starter for the Browns in 2025, the Ravens will have to approach these games with respect for Flacco’s skill set and leadership. The Ravens’ defensive unit, led by Marlon Humphrey, Roquan Smith, and other stalwart defenders, will need to focus on shutting down Flacco’s deep throws and limiting his ability to make game-changing plays. Flacco’s familiarity with the Ravens’ defense could work to his advantage, but Baltimore will undoubtedly be ready for the challenge.

A Legacy Rekindled: Flacco’s Return to the Spotlight

Flacco’s return to the NFL in 2025 represents more than just a chance to finish his career in a meaningful way. It is a journey of redemption, proving that his Super Bowl victory was not just a one-time fluke but a testament to his ability to lead and perform under pressure. As Flacco takes the field in Cleveland, fans across the league will be watching to see if he can still play at a high level and whether his leadership can guide the Browns to success.

The 2025 season will offer plenty of intriguing storylines, but the Ravens vs. Browns matchups will undoubtedly be among the most exciting. For Ravens fans, the two games will be a trip down memory lane, as they watch Joe Flacco return to the field in a new uniform, facing the team that he once helped lead to the pinnacle of the NFL. It will be a collision of past and present, and one that is sure to captivate the attention of fans and analysts alike.