"Our OTAs were for above 2 hours" - Joe Flacco calls out Browns rookies for struggling with short minicamp sessions

Quarterback Joe Flacco is gearing up for his second stint with the Cleveland Browns. After serving as a backup to Deshaun Watson in 2023, the Super Bowl XLVII champ signed a one-year deal worth $4 million in April. With Watson rehabilitating from his injury, Flacco is in a four-way contest for the QB1 spot alongside Kenny Pickett and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

After Wednesday's practice session, Joe Flacco had an interview with the media. He spoke about the rookies seemingly being unable to keep up with the organized team activities.

"When it got easier in like.. 2011 I think, everybody that was playing at that point had been grouped two days at some point in their life. Guys that are coming in the NFL now have never done it," Flacco said.

"We're out here for an hour and 15 minutes and guys think it's hard. You know like, our OTAs were like over two hours."

Last season, the veteran quarterback played for the Indianapolis Colts. He saw time in eight games while recording a total of 1,761 yards and 12 TDs passing. Now entering his 18th season in the league, Joe Flacco is satisfied with the work he has put out so far during the offseason with the Browns.

"For me, it's go out there and just kind of getting your feel back and getting the ball off your hand well, make sure you're going through your reads the right way," Flacco said. "So I feel great with that. I feel like I'm getting through things and spinning it well and the other things will come."

"It's not like I've had million reps, so it's tough to kind of get in a groove and do those things. But as far as when I'm out there, just kind of getting through everything and just the vision of it all, I felt good, felt comfortable."

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Joe Flacco reveals mentoring the rookies is not his 'top priority'

Given Joe Flacco's experience, he is expected to help mentor the rookies, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. However, in May, the veteran quarterback shared his true feelings about developing the rookies.

"It's a good question to bait somebody into answering, and no matter how they answer it, it kind of makes the guy that's answering look bad," Flacco said.

"It's not really about that. It's just not the main focus. I see myself as a guy that can play in this league..... The best way to mentor, honestly, is to show people how you got work and, like I said, hope that they pick up on that stuff, but not necessarily pick up on the things that you do."

The Browns begin their 2025 campaign with a season opener against the Bengals in September. Only time will tell if Kevin Stefanski decides to put his faith in a veteran like Joe Flacco or go with the youngbloods they picked up in this year's draft.