CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cleveland Browns

Joe Flacco embraces a new chapter as mentor while continuing to defy retirement talk

At 40 years old, Joe Flacco is determined to keep playing - and now, he will also mentor rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in Cleveland.

Joe Flacco
Joe FlaccoLAPRESSE

Despite turning 40 in January, Joe Flaccoshows no signs of slowing down. After a career that has seen him suit up for multiple teams, from Baltimore to Denver, New York, Indianapolis, and Cleveland, the veteran quarterback is committed to continuing his NFL journey. Speaking at a recent press conference, Flacco addressed the frequent questions about his future.

"I've gotten that question" players ask a lot. You know, 'Why are you still doing this?'" Flacco said. "And what eventually came to me is, I want to. I want to play." His statement made it clear: retirement is not even a consideration for him right now. Flacco emphasized that once he made the decision to keep playing, he shut the door on any doubts.

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A new role as mentor

While Flacco is set to remain the Browns' starting quarterback, he will also take on a significant leadership role this season. Cleveland recently drafted two quarterbacks: Dillon Gabriel from Oregon and Shedeur Sanders from Colorado. Interestingly, Gabriel was selected before Sanders, suggesting the Browns might see more immediate potential in Gabriel. Regardless, both rookies will now benefit from Flacco's wealth of experience.

The 40-year-old veteran seems ready for the challenge. Building strong relationships, he says, has been key to keeping the sport exciting for him over the years - a philosophy he now hopes to share with the younger generation. "I think the best way to stay fresh is to develop good relationships and keep everything exciting," Flacco explained.

The secret to longevity

Flacco credits much of his longevity to consistent training habits rather than drastic changes. He has worked with the same trainer for the past 15 years, focusing on simplicity, strength, and mental resilience. "It's not about reinventing the wheel," he said. "It's about staying strong, staying fresh, and keeping your mind right through the daily grind."

As Flacco steps into this dual role of leader and mentor, the Browns' quarterback room is set for an intriguing dynamic - one where experience meets youth, and the future of the team begins to take shape.

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