Joe Flacco knows that there is a lot at stake. Three other competitors are also vying for the starting quarterback position with the Cleveland Browns, and they are not making it easy for him.
And that pressure is palpable. Whether it’s in training with the team or outside of it, on social media, it seems like the whole world is watching to see what will happen in the end. However, the veteran has found a way to clear his mind of it all and, at the same time, continue training.
We’re not talking about spending more time in the gym and lifting more weight or doing more reps, but the sport continues to help him. It’s pickleball, a sport that combines elements of ping pong, tennis, and badminton, where the goal is to hit a plastic ball over a net using a racket.
This sport is accessible and relaxed, ideal for those looking to try something new that improves coordination, and Flacco himself prefers it over the gym. Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio, the experienced quarterback explained the reason for his preference:
“When I was a kid and you’re in great shape, it’s because you’re just playing all kinds of games and you’re working your brain and your body at the same time,” said Flacco. “I think that’s really important to go back to.”
In addition to this, Joe says that his focus on pickleball is also an important advantage when choosing this sport over training hard in a gym, where you feel that by training for an hour and a half you were “productive,” but “you’re really not doing much the rest of the day.”
“It’s better when you’re playing a game… When you’re playing games, you’re just kind of keeping yourself into it,” he said.
And in the talk, of course, he didn’t leave out the lessons he’s learned over his nearly 20 years in the NFL and how he prepares mentally. With his sights set on his 18th season, Flacco explained that as you get older, “you get better at it, but you also get more relaxed.”
For this reason, you can get an idea of how he plans to approach this new year in Cleveland: “You’re able to be yourself a little bit more as opposed to stressing about little things. You know what not to worry about, so you can focus on the important things.“
Flacco has a chance to be QB1
Keny Pickett’s hamstring injury and Shedeur Sanders‘ arm discomfort have been delaying both quarterbacks’ training, giving Flacco more opportunities to demonstrate his potential.
In addition, he is the only one of the four with experience in Kevin Stefanski‘s system, and it is very likely that the Browns will start the season with one of their experienced players, so Flacco or Pickett, if he recovers in time, would have a chance. However, if that doesn’t work out, nothing rules out the possibility of bringing youth to the team with Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders. For now, all we can do is wait and see.
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