Over the last few weeks, we have been taking a closer look at each of the Indianapolis Colts’ unrestricted free agents and making a prediction as to whether or not they will return for the 2025 season.
Rounding out this series is quarterback Joe Flacco. If you’ve missed any of our other free agency predictions, you can find them below.
Will Fries
Julian Blackmon
Grant Stuard
Ryan Kelly
Dayo Odeyingbo
Mo Alie-Cox
Trey Sermon
Ashton Dulin
Mark Glowinski
Taven Bryan
Sam Ehlinger
Ronnie Harrison
EJ Speed
Kylen Granson
David Long
Danny Pinter
Juwann Winfree
Flacco would end up appearing in seven games for the Colts in 2024, which included six starts.
His overall production was fine, completing 65% of his passes at 7.1 yards per attempt with 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions. This included two games of at least 330 passing yards and two others over the 260 mark, per PFF.
Flacco also provided the Colts’ short to intermediate passing games with more consistency as well.
However, when the Colts turned to Flacco in the middle of the season when Anthony Richardson was benched, that aforementioned production didn’t turn into points.
Against Minnesota in Week 9, the offense mustered just six points, while against Buffalo, the Colts were able to put up 20 total points, but seven came on a touchdown with two-seconds left in the game when the score was 30-13.
At 40-years-old, we don’t even know if Flacco continues to plan on playing in 2025, but if he does, based on what GM Chris Ballard said after the season, it sounds like the Colts will look elsewhere when it comes to the backup quarterback role.
With Richardson navigating injuries and inconsistent play, Ballard said there will be competition for him this season. However, Flacco’s name wasn’t mentioned in that regard and given where he’s at in his career, he likely doesn’t fit what the Colts are looking for either.
“We knew when we took him it was going to be a roller coaster,” Ballard said of Richardson. “The number one thing we have to figure out and have to work through is he’s got to stay healthy. That, to me, is the biggest question.
“We have to have competition at the position because competition makes you better and because he’s not proven he can stay healthy for 17 games.”
Prediction: The Colts do not re-sign Joe Flacco.