Joe Flacco, the veteran NFL quarterback with nearly two decades of experience, recently opened up about the surprisingly nerve-wracking challenge he faced when joining a new team mid-season and throwing to elite receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Despite his long career, Flacco admitted that the first few throws to these young stars made him anxious — a revelation that sheds light on the complex chemistry between quarterbacks and receivers that often goes unnoticed by fans.

At first glance, football routes might seem straightforward: a receiver runs a route, the quarterback throws the ball, and the play unfolds.

But as Flacco explained, there’s so much more beneath the surface — especially when you’re new to a team and trying to build trust with your targets.

“Every route is the route, but where a guy likes the ball thrown, what kind of touch, and where you want the ball placed — those are things you fill out much like linemen working together on double teams and twists,” Flacco said.

This subtle synchronization is crucial for success and requires time, communication, and experience.

When Flacco was traded mid-season, he found himself thrown into a whirlwind of chaos, trying to learn the playbook while simultaneously figuring out the preferences of his receivers.

“The first couple times I threw to Ja’Marr and Tee, I was a little bit nervous,” Flacco confessed.

“I want them to respect me. I want to hit these guys where they want the ball, with nice touch.I overthought it for sure.”

Flacco recounted one early throw to Ja’Marr Chase on a skinny post route where the receiver was a bit deeper than expected.

He missed the throw and immediately worried, “Oh man, he thinks I suck.” This is a rare moment of vulnerability from a seasoned quarterback who is usually confident in his throws.

“I don’t do that very often, especially in routes versus air,” Flacco said.

“I told myself, ‘Stop overthinking it, just throw the damn ball.’” This internal struggle highlights how even veteran players can feel pressure to prove themselves to new teammates, especially when joining a team mid-season.

Despite the initial nerves, Flacco quickly learned that with receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, you just need to put the ball somewhere near them and they’ll make the play.

“Just put it somewhere around them and they’ll make you look good,” Flacco said with a smile.

This trust in his receivers’ ability to make plays eased some of the pressure, but the process of building that connection took time.

It’s a reminder that chemistry on the field is just as important as physical skill.

Flacco also shared his thoughts on the challenges of playing night games, which can be mentally draining due to the long hours of waiting.

“Is there nothing to do during the day?” he asked rhetorically.

“If you’ve been in that situation as an athlete, you try to find ways to distract yourself from what you have coming at 8:15, but you can’t. You’re just thinking about it from the time you wake up to the time you take the field.”

He expressed a preference for earlier games, saying, “One o’clock games are great. I wish sometimes they’d start at 11:30 so we could just get going. I hate all the time before the game. It’s just like, ‘Let’s go.’”

The mental toll of waiting and anticipation is something many athletes struggle with, and Flacco’s candid comments shine a light on this often overlooked aspect of professional sports.

Flacco described his pregame routine, which includes getting dressed about 45 minutes to an hour before warm-ups, and doing a throwing session with receivers to loosen up the arm.

“I like to stand 10 yards away and just play catch for a little bit, then maybe go back 40 or 50 yards and come back to 10 yards,” he said.

He emphasized that every team has its own routine and he adapts to whatever the team is used to doing.

The throwing session usually lasts about seven or eight minutes and helps establish timing and feel with the receivers before the game starts.

Interestingly, Flacco mentioned skipping optional activation drills to focus on throwing, a choice shared by some other quarterbacks who prefer to keep their arm fresh and ready.

Flacco also reflected on the pressure of prime time games, where the spotlight is intense and the mental game becomes even more critical.

He joked about the boredom during long waits and admitted to a few yawns during late quarters in prime time, showing that even veterans feel the strain.

He also recalled a teammate, Jeff Feagin, who would suit up hours before kickoff during night games, fully geared and medicated, to mentally prepare — a routine Flacco found extreme but effective.

What stands out most in Flacco’s reflections is his desire to connect with his receivers and earn their respect, even after 18 years in the league.

His nervousness about throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins wasn’t about doubting his own skills but about wanting to show that he could deliver the ball precisely and with the right touch.

This humanizes the quarterback position, revealing that beyond physical ability, there is a deep psychological component to building trust and chemistry with teammates.

Joe Flacco’s candid admission about being nervous throwing to Ja’Marr Chase provides a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of quarterback-receiver relationships in the NFL.

It’s a reminder that success on the field depends not only on talent but also on subtle communication, trust, and shared understanding.

For fans, this insight deepens the appreciation of what goes into every completed pass and touchdown.

For players, it highlights the importance of patience and connection in building a winning team.

As Flacco continues to adapt and thrive, his story is an inspiring example of how even the most experienced athletes face challenges and grow through them — all while aiming to make those perfect throws that win games.