Browns fans who still carry a torch -- or a grudge -- for their recent quarterbacks past will have plenty to watch this offseason. Netflix has confirmed that the third season of its hit docuseries Quarterback will feature four signal-callers, and two of them spent significant time under center in Cleveland: Baker Mayfield and Joe Flacco.
For a franchise that has cycled through starting quarterbacks at a dizzying rate over the last decade, this news lands with a bit of emotional weight. Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 who led the Browns to their first playoff win in 26 years, remains a deeply divisive figure in Northeast Ohio. Flacco, meanwhile, arrived in November 2023 off the couch, nearly dragged a dysfunctional team to the playoffs, and immediately became a folk hero in a way that only Cleveland can manufacture.
The series, which previously featured Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Jalen Hurts in its first two seasons, pivots to a rotating cast of four quarterbacks for Season 3. Alongside Mayfield and Flacco, two other NFL passers will be featured, though Netflix has yet to announce the full lineup.
For Browns fans, the question isn't just what we'll see -- it's how we'll see it.
The Baker Mayfield Era: Revisited Through a New Lens
Mayfield's tenure in Cleveland was a roller coaster that started with a bang and ended with a whimper. After breaking the rookie touchdown record in 2018 and delivering the franchise's first playoff victory since 1994 in 2020, things unraveled quickly. Injuries, scheme changes, and undeniable friction with the front office -- culminating in the Deshaun Watson trade and Mayfield's messy exit -- left a bitter taste for many fans.
Now, with Mayfield thriving as a starter in Tampa Bay, where he's led the Buccaneers to consecutive division titles and a playoff win, the narrative has flipped. The Quarterback series will give viewers an all-access pass to Mayfield's journey during the 2025 season, capturing his leadership style, competitive edge, and likely his reaction to the ever-present chip on his shoulder.
What makes this particularly fascinating for Browns fans is the contrast. Mayfield left Cleveland with a reputation as a passionate but sometimes reckless gunslinger. His Tampa Bay renaissance has painted him as a mature, efficient leader who has refined his game without losing the fire. The docuseries will likely document that evolution in real-time, and for a fanbase that watched him grow from brash rookie to embattled former star, it's going to be a compelling watch.
There's also the lingering question of what could have been. The Browns' current quarterback room features Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and Taylen Green. Watson's tenure has been marred by injury and inconsistent play. Seeing Mayfield succeed elsewhere -- especially in a series that highlights his leadership and resilience -- will inevitably stir up "what if" conversations in bars across Cleveland.
Joe Flacco: The Unexpected Cleveland Hero
If Mayfield's story is about redemption, Flacco's is about defying time itself. When the Browns signed Flacco off the street in November 2023, expectations were nonexistent. He was 38 years old, had been out of football for months, and was coming off a year where he'd thrown eight interceptions in four starts for the Jets. The Browns were on their fourth starting quarterback of the season. No one expected much.
What followed was one of the most improbable runs in recent NFL history. Flacco started six games, threw for 1,616 yards and 10 touchdowns, and went 4-2 while completing 60.3% of his passes. The offense, which had been anemic under previous quarterbacks, suddenly looked alive. Flacco was slinging the ball all over the field, connecting with Amari Cooper for deep shots and spreading the ball to an energized receiving corps. His four-touchdown performance against the Jaguars in Week 14 remains one of the most electric regular-season games in Browns history.
Flacco became a Cleveland folk hero overnight. Fans chanted his name. A local pizzeria named a sandwich after him. The city, starved for competent quarterback play, embraced him with a fervor usually reserved for championship teams. Even though the Browns missed the playoffs, Flacco's brief tenure was a bright spot in an otherwise turbulent season.
The Quarterback series will presumably cover his 2025 season, wherever that took place. Whether he was backing up again, starting for a contender, or navigating the late stages of a career that already includes a Super Bowl MVP, the cameras will capture the veteran perspective that made Flacco so beloved in Cleveland. He's the anti-diva quarterback -- unflappable, professional, and refreshingly normal in a league full of manufactured personas.
For Browns fans, seeing Flacco in this series is a chance to relive one of the few genuinely fun moments this franchise has provided in recent years. It's also a reminder that sometimes the best quarterback moves are the ones nobody sees coming.
What This Means for Browns Fans
Netflix's Quarterback series has built a reputation for delivering genuine, unfiltered access to the lives of NFL quarterbacks. It's not your typical glossy sports documentary -- the show has captured everything from postgame emotional breakdowns to contract negotiations to family dynamics. Season 1 with Mahomes and Cousins gave viewers a raw look at the pressures of being an NFL quarterback. Season 2 with Hurts and Cousins followed suit.
Having two former Browns quarterbacks featured in the same season is notable. Cleveland hasn't exactly been a quarterback factory. The franchise has started 38 different quarterbacks since 1999. Most of them have been forgettable. But Mayfield and Flacco stand out -- Mayfield for the hope he brought, and Flacco for the unexpected joy.
There's also a subtle layer of commentary here. The Browns are currently in a transitional phase under head coach Todd Monken and offensive coordinator Travis Switzer. With Watson still on the roster -- listed here alongside rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders -- the team is clearly investing in a future that may or may not include its high-priced veteran. Seeing two former starters succeed elsewhere, even in a documentary, adds to the narrative complexity surrounding this franchise.
Beyond the Browns Connection
While the focus for Cleveland fans will naturally be on Mayfield and Flacco, the series as a whole promises to offer a broader look at the quarterback position in the modern NFL. The inclusion of two additional QBs -- both of whom will likely be starters or high-profile backups -- will give viewers a comparison of different career arcs.
Mayfield represents the reclamation project. Flacco represents the veteran survivor. The other two quarterbacks will likely offer contrasting perspectives: perhaps a young breakout star, a perennial MVP candidate, or a journeyman fighting for a roster spot.
Netflix has not announced a premiere date for Season 3, but production is reportedly underway. Given the timeline of past seasons, fans can likely expect the series to drop sometime during the 2026 offseason, possibly in late summer before the regular season begins.
The Bottom Line
For Browns fans who have endured decades of quarterback turmoil, the upcoming season of Quarterback is appointment viewing. It's a chance to see two of the most interesting signal-callers to ever wear the orange and brown -- one who brought the franchise back from the dead, and another who reminded everyone what competent quarterback play looks like.
Mayfield and Flacco represent two very different eras and two very different outcomes, but they share one thing in common: both left Cleveland with the respect of a fanbase that doesn't give it easily. The Netflix series will give the rest of the country a window into why.
Mark your calendars, Browns fans. This is going to be a good one.
