The writing was on the wall for weeks.

Quarterback Joe Flacco was never meant to return to the Cleveland Browns after he saved the team from disappointment and led them to the playoffs in what could have been a lost season.

Recently, Flacco opened up on how he felt when the Browns didn’t think twice and showed him the door by going after former New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston.

“Probably a little bit [surprised],” Flacco said, via Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star.

The 39-year-old added: “Listen, I’ve kind of been in this role for a handful of years now. It wasn’t like I played a ton of games last year or anything like that, but definitely grateful for Indy to reach out and have this as an opportunity.”

Cleveland toyed with the idea of bringing Flacco back, but in the end, the Browns blindsided him by bringing in Winston.

Now the savior of the Browns’ 2023 season is playing for an AFC rival while Cleveland is still hoping for a fully healthy season from Deshaun Watson in 2024.