Obviously, Kyle Shanahan hasn't watched a lot of Flacco's performances this season, as the 49ers haven't had to prepare for the Browns. The head coach has done his homework on the veteran quarterback in the past, though. Flacco visited with the 49ers during the 2021 offseason but eventually signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, who later traded him to the New York Jets.
"I don't think people have ever given Flacco enough credit for his whole career," Shanahan said Thursday on Bay Area radio station KNBR's "Tolbert and Copes" show. "I think he's been one of the better quarterbacks of the last 20 years. I thought he was unbelievable in Baltimore.
"He's a guy that we tried to get here two years ago, hard, before he went to the [Eagles and then the] Jets. Flacco has always been that type of thrower. He's always been tough hanging in the pocket. He's got elite arm talent and he's a smart guy who's been around a lot systems.
"His skill set never left. It's just sometimes you don't get that opportunity, you're not a starter anymore, you don't get in the best situation. But it has always kind of blew my mind on a number of places that he was going to be available at this time of year because he's always had some unbelievable talent. He's put on a lot of good stuff on tape, and that talent, obviously, is still there."
Of course, 49ers fans remember Flacco well. He was part of the Ravens team that beat the 49ers in Super Bowl 47.
Flacco is in his 16th NFL season. He has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,616 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions through five games this season and is 4-1 as a starter with the Browns.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Crucial 49ers training camp battle receives update from Kyle Shanahan
One of the most important San Francisco 49ers training camp battles is taking place along the offensive line. Every starting position except one appears to be settled, with left guard remaining the lone question mark. Casual observers might assume veteran Robert Jones is the... -
Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy share updates after 49ers-Titans joint practice
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy spoke with reporters after Tuesday's joint practice with the Tennessee Titans. Here's everything they had to say. Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff. Head Coach Kyle... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan opens up about returning to sidelines after car accident
If there was any doubt about San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan's recovery from the injuries he suffered in a recent car accident, his pacing along the sidelines during Thursday night's preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans put those doubts to rest. Shanahan... -
Why Kyle Shanahan felt comfortable sitting the 49ers starters vs. Titans
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins is projected to start this season, and he played Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans. Aside from Collins, however, the rest of the 49ers' projected starters sat out the preseason opener. Meanwhile, the Titans played...