Joe Flacco Shares Candid Take on Browns After Finding ‘Fun’ Again With Bengals
Cleveland is 5-19 in its last 24 regular season games and slogging through a rebuild hindered by salary cap concerns largely tied to and epically bad contract for injured QB Deshaun Watson that doesn’t officially end until the 2026 campaign does, and will likely remain a financial burden for several years after that.
Superstar Myles Garrett wanted out, partly for that reason, until the Browns offered him a pile of money so large that he could snowboard down it if he wanted. And it’s part of the reason that veteran quarterback Joe Flacco — the leader of the offense down the stretch in 2023, the last time the team made the playoffs and being in the locker room actually was fun — was so happy to land with the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Listen, it is fun. It’s enjoyable when you’re doing things like last night,” Flacco told Albert Breer of SI on Friday, October 17, one day after throwing for 342 yards and three scores in a late-game win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. “And there’s a lot of pressure, man, with this game. And even though I’ve been playing it for so long, I still get those feelings before a game. They’re not that much fun — I don’t want to have those feelings. But fighting through that, you don’t get to experience the level of fun that I had last night unless you’re able to get over those feelings. And, yeah, that takes it to a whole other level.”
Joe Flacco Dealt With Consistent Criticism, Calls for Browns to Bench Him for Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Flacco wasn’t taking a direct shot at the Browns. But he undoubtedly felt the same pressure before his four starts in Cleveland this year, and only one of those ended in a win.
Even the victory over the Green Bay Packers wasn’t particularly pleasurable until the very end, which Flacco noted during the postgame. Green Bay held the Cleveland offense to zero points for more than 56 minutes of game time, and it was the Browns defense and special teams unit that really paved the way to a 13-10 victory.
For more than a month, Flacco dealt with boos and media criticism and an itchiness from just about everyone involved for the team to move on to rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders before the coaching staff eventually benched him.
Joe Flacco Grateful to Browns for Trading Him to Bengals
GettyFormer Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco.
That said, Flacco acknowledged to Breer that he is grateful to Cleveland’s leadership team for their consideration regarding his circumstances as a 40-year-old QB whom the coaching staff had recently sidelined.
“Flacco’s actually thankful to the Browns, who told him before trading him that they’d do the trade if it were something he’d be interested in,” Breer continued.
“Now I don’t know if they would’ve done it anyway, if I wasn’t interested,” Flacco told Breer. “If I said, ‘No, I really don’t want to do that, guys,’ I don’t know if they would’ve said, ‘OK, yeah, that’s cool, we won’t do it then.’ But it did seem like [GM] Andrew [Berry] was like, ‘Listen, man, we appreciate what you’ve done. Would this be something you’d be open to?’ So we had a conversation about it, for sure.”
WHO DAT NEWS — MIKE EVANS DONATES $102.9 MILLION TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS, LAUNCHES “THE EVANS HAVEN PROJECT” IN TAMPA
In one of the most inspiring acts of generosity in professional sports history, Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar wide receiver Mike Evans has donated his entire $102.9 million bonus and sponsorship earnings to fund a massive Homeless Shelter Initiative in Tampa. The initiative will build 150 housing units and 300 shelter beds, offering long-term stability and renewed hope to hundreds of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
At a press conference held inside Raymond James Stadium on Friday morning, Evans was joined by city officials, Buccaneers executives, and dozens of local families as he emotionally unveiled the “Evans Haven Project.” With tears in his eyes, Evans explained the motivation behind his historic donation.
“I’ve seen the effects of homelessness firsthand growing up, and I knew if I ever had the means, I’d give back in a meaningful way,” Evans said. “No one deserves to sleep on a sidewalk. Everyone deserves a roof, a bed, and a chance to rebuild.”
The project, backed by partnerships with the City of Tampa Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity, and several local churches, will provide not just housing but also food programs, mental health counseling, job training, and educational opportunities. Evans’s goal isn’t temporary relief — it’s lasting change.
“Mike didn’t just write a check,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “He built a vision — a long-term plan to end chronic homelessness in this city. This is one of the largest private donations Tampa has ever seen, and it’s coming from the heart of a man who has given his all to this city both on and off the field.”
Evans, who has spent his entire NFL career with the Buccaneers, is known for his relentless drive, leadership, and deep connection to the community. His loyalty to Tampa has made him not just a sports hero, but a local icon. Since joining the team in 2014, Evans has been active in numerous outreach efforts — from youth mentorship programs to disaster recovery projects — but this initiative marks his most ambitious effort yet.
Fans and fellow players across the league have taken to social media to praise Evans’s generosity. Teammate Tom Brady wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“That’s real leadership. Mike’s always been about more than football. That man’s heart is different.”
Former Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston also posted a heartfelt message, calling Evans’s gift “a moment that defines what it means to love your city and your people.”
The Evans Haven Project will be built in phases across Tampa and surrounding areas. Phase one — 50 housing units and 100 shelter beds — is set to break ground in March 2026, with completion expected by early 2027. The initiative will prioritize veterans, families with children, and individuals who have been displaced by natural disasters — an issue that continues to challenge Florida communities.
Each site will include a community resource center, offering workshops in financial literacy, employment readiness, and life skills. A portion of the funding will also support an annual “Path to Purpose” scholarship, helping young people who grew up in shelters access higher education or trade programs.
“Mike Evans’s donation is more than a contribution — it’s a catalyst,” said Ronald Peterson, director of the Tampa Homeless Alliance. “This project will transform lives and change the way we approach housing and rehabilitation in this city.”
The initiative’s impact is already rippling through the region. Buccaneers fans have started organizing online fundraisers to add to the project, while local businesses have pledged matching donations. Even the NFL Players Association has announced plans to recognize Evans with the Community Impact Award for his extraordinary service.
Despite his massive financial commitment, Evans was quick to remind everyone that this isn’t about fame or headlines — it’s about humanity.
“I’m blessed to play this game and be part of a team that means everything to this city,” he said. “But football is temporary. Impact lasts forever.”
As he left the podium, the crowd erupted in chants of “GO BUCS! GO BUCS!” echoing through the stadium with pride and emotion.
For Tampa, Mike Evans isn’t just a wide receiver — he’s become a symbol of heart, humility, and hope. His donation will not only reshape lives but redefine what it means to be a hero in the truest sense.
From the streets of downtown Tampa to the neighborhoods still recovering from years of hardship, one message now rings clear:
Mike Evans has turned his success into shelter — and his legacy into love.
