Joe Flacco helped orchestrate one of the most memorable Browns seasons of the last two decades in 2023.

The couch-to-starter story that saw Flacco join Cleveland’s roster in Week 11 as a free agent, only to take over the starting job one week later and lead the Browns to the playoffs helped the 16-year veteran earn Comeback Player of the Year honors.

Now, the Browns have a decision to make regarding Flacco and whether or not they want to bring him back as a backup to starter Deshaun Watson. If they do, they may already have some competition for his services.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the New England Patriots – in the midst of transition with new head coach Jerod Mayo and armed with the No. 3 overall pick – have some interest in adding Flacco as a “bridge quarterback.” Considering that the Patriots recently added former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt to thier staff last month, the connection makes plenty of sense.

Rumors were swirling at the NFL Combine this week that the Patriots are leaning towards taking a quarterback with the third pick. Who the choice could be depends on what the Bears plans are with the No. 1 overall pick. Chicago has the NFL world on standby whlle they mull over whether or not to use the pick on a QB of their own or trade back and move forward with Justin Fields.

Flacco posted a 4-1 record for Cleveland down the stretch of the regular season, leading the franchise back to the playoffs for the second time in four years. During the thrilling run, the Super Bowl XLVII MVP threw for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He became the first Browns QB in franchise history to throw for 300-plus yards in four straight games.

While Flacco has said during the offseason that he’d be open to a return to Cleveland next season he is expected to test the open market first. The 39-year-old is hoping to parlay his renaissance season into a starting job elsewhere before he settles for a backup job.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said back in January that the team would “absolutely love to have Joe back.” He cited constraints, however, that may prohibit the team from retaining the veteran on top of Flacco having a number of suitors.