INDIANAPOLIS — The defending NFL Comeback Player of the Year will try to continue his magic in Indianapolis.
Several reports indicate Joe Flacco is signing a one-year deal with the Colts to back up Anthony Richardson as the Colts' signal caller. Flacco literally came off the couch last season to lead the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs.
ESPN's Adam Schefter cited sources in reporting the signing, which is reportedly worth up to $8.7 million, including a $4.5 million signing bonus. NFL Network insiders also reported the signing on Wednesday.
Flacco replaces quarterback Gardner Minshew, who left Indianapolis for the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in the week.
Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP with Baltimore, was home in New Jersey with his family when Cleveland called him in November. He went 4-1 in five starts and passed for over 300 yards in four straight games with 13 touchdown passes. However, he threw a pair of pick sixes in the Wild Card playoff game in Houston that helped the Texans clinch a 45-14 victory.
He wanted to stay in Cleveland to back up Deshaun Watson, but the Browns didn’t make him an offer, agent Joe Linta told the AP.
Instead, the Browns are bringing in Jameis Winston to serve as Watson's backup.
Flacco turned down an offer from the Philadelphia Eagles to join the Colts. The Saints also had interest in the veteran QB.
Richardson recently resumed throwing a football after shoulder surgery that ended his rookie season in Indianapolis prematurely.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)