“I love the building,” the experienced signal-caller said via the team’s official website. “I enjoyed being there, and I’m excited about being back with the fellas.”

Flacco had previously expressed his desire to remain in Cincinnati if he didn’t land a QB1 job elsewhere. In the end, his preferred outcome for what’s ahead came to fruition.

The former Super Bowl champion with Ravens is set to enter his 19th NFL season after agreeing to a one-year, $6 million deal. His previous stint in Cincinnati clearly did enough to convince the franchise to keep him for another year as a backup to Burrow.

A positive stint with the Bengals

The reason Flacco chose Cincinnati once again isn’t just about job security. He also acknowledged enjoying a great work environment during last season.

“I felt like I had to be careful with some certain decisions. I don’t want to be in another situation where I’m going and playing four games like I did last year in Cleveland,” he revealed.

“…I had such a good time with everybody on the team. Plus, Zac and Brad and Pitch. Those guys were all positive thoughts when I was thinking about going back. It’s not just one thing, as always. It was the overall experience and the overall building.“

Flacco’s strong impression in Cincinnati

During his 2025 season in Queen City, Flacco completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,664 yards, recording 13 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions across nine games. Despite a 1-5 record as a starter, his veteran leadership and a career-high 470-yard performance against the Chicago Bears earned him the first Pro Bowl selection of his 18-year career.

Joe Burrow’s serious midseason injury forced the franchise to seek a quick reinforcement. Flacco, coming from the Browns, didn’t hesitate to choose his new destination.

Another year in the NFL for Flacco

Remaining in the NFL for another season further adds to Joe Flacco’s legacy in the league. As one of only two quarterbacks over 40—alongside Aaron Rodgers—the Bengals continue to benefit from his experience and skill set. These are the teams he has represented throughout his career:

• Baltimore Ravens
• Denver Broncos
• New York Jets
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Cleveland Browns
• Indianapolis Colts
• Cincinnati Bengals

There’s a reason the Bengals signed Burrow to a five-year, $275 million extension back in 2023. Still, that record-breaking contract did little to protect Burrow from injuries. Burrow has missed 22 games due to injury in his NFL career, and 16 since he put pen to paper on the extension in Cincinnati.

If the Bengals want to have success—which they haven’t had in the past two seasons—they must keep Burrow away from the blue tent and the medical room. Yet if they can’t, and Burrow’s injury-proneness outweighs their efforts, they must have a solid backup quarterback ready to take over.

With Flacco, Cincinnati has just that: a timeless student of the game who already knows the organization and his teammates, and definitely knows his way around the league to come away with wins. However, having Flacco ready to take over doesn’t take anything away from the other obvious issue. There is an elephant in the room that the Bengals must address.

Protecting Burrow is a must for Bengals

There is no other way around it: Cincinnati must invest in its offensive line. The five players in the trenches may not be household names around the league, but it ultimately comes down to them to keep the star quarterback safe.

So far, Burrow has never enjoyed the perks of a top offensive line in Cincinnati. As a result, not only has he struggled to put together winning seasons consistently, but he has also paid the ultimate price with his health.

Burrow’s injury history

According to Draft Sharks, Burrow has been injured seven times in his NFL career, including season-ending injuries in 2020 (knee) and 2023 (wrist), as well as a long absence in 2025 (turf toe). At this pace, Burrow’s career may be cut short, and the Bengals could watch their Super Bowl window close because they couldn’t keep their quarterback healthy.

That’d be the worst-case scenario for the Bengals. Sure, having Flacco serve as a backup is encouraging, but if Flacco sees the field regularly in 2026, then it means the Bengals or Burrow have done something wrong.

Returning to Baltimore, where he’s a hero and already won a Super Bowl ring? No. According to insider Tom Pelissero on his X account, Flacco wouldn’t mind staying in Cincinnati alongside Burrow.

“Veteran QB Joe Flacco, who will be a free agent Monday, wants an opportunity to at least compete for a starting job. But if he’s a backup, sources say, Flacco would strongly consider a return to Cincinnati, where he filled in for Joe Burrow last fall and made his first Pro Bowl,” the insider revealed.

Many NFL teams are searching for a starting QB, but the dilemma they face today is whether to bring in an experienced player or, on the other hand, opt for a young talent, either through a trade or via the draft.

Teams that could add Flacco

As we head into the 2026 offseason, several teams are searching for a bridge starter or a veteran presence to stabilize their offense. The Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets have emerged as potential landing spots for Joe Flacco, who remains a viable short-term option after his late-season resurgence.

While these franchises weigh veteran signings against a shallow draft class, the Las Vegas Raiders appear set on a different path, as they are widely expected to use the first-overall pick to select Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza as their future franchise quarterback.

Flacco’s stint in Cincinnati

After being traded to the Bengals following Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury, Joe Flacco provided an incredible veteran spark, throwing for 1,664 yards and 13 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions across nine games.

His stint was highlighted by a career-high 470-yard performance against the Bears and an efficient 91.0 passer rating, earning the 41-year-old his first-ever Pro Bowl selection.

The former Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens has now become one of the quarterbacks entering free agency, and he faces two intriguing options: either re-sign with the Bengals to serve as the primary backup to Burrow, or pursue new horizons in search of a starting role elsewhere.

“I think if the opportunity is good enough early on, then you say, Yes, oh, you’re gonna allow me to play. You jump on it,” Flacco said to Ross Tucker. “Maybe there are some scenarios where that’s the case. … But ultimately, that is the ultimate goal, to get an opportunity to play.

“If that doesn’t present itself, then there’s a huge advantage to waiting. I mean, you’ve seen it every year, there’s going to be opportunities, in your head, can you trust that at some point there’s going to be an opportunity?

“Because it can be nerve-wracking if you want to play football right, to sit at home and wait and wait. It can also be kind of crappy to be on a team as a number two, and opportunities start coming up, and you’re already locked in with a team.”

Some potential destinations for Joe Flacco

While there is still no certainty about what Joe Flacco’s next destination will be heading into the upcoming NFL season, reports indicate that several teams have already shown interest — including a divisional rival within the AFC North.

“The Bengals have expressed interest in re-signing quarterback Joe Flacco,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said recently. “They believe he’s a valuable backup who can be a viable starting option if Joe Burrow gets injured again. But Flacco will have options, possibly as a bridge quarterback elsewhere. The Vikings considered signing Flacco last offseason. And the Steelers will have an opening if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t re-sign there. Pittsburgh liked his free agency profile last offseason, too.”

Flacco’s latest NFL numbers

In 2025, Joe Flacco’s season was a tale of two Ohio cities. After starting the year with the Cleveland Browns, he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6 following Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury.

Throughout his combined 13 appearances for both teams, the veteran quarterback proved he still has plenty of gas in the tank, throwing for 2,479 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Despite recording 10 interceptions and finishing with a 41.0 QBR, his performance in relief of Burrow—highlighted by a career-high 470-yard game against Chicago—earned him the first Pro Bowl selection of his 18-year career.

Joe Flacco has been added to the AFC roster. Flacco, who is an 18-year veteran and Super Bowl champion was never selected to the Pro Bowl during his prime. Now, he’ll be in the Pro Bowl in a season where he was benched in Cleveland and traded to the Bengals to serve as Burrow’s backup.

Flacco didn’t play bad football per se, but going into the Pro Bowl with Flacco’s season is borderline unthinkable. However, this comes just days after Shedeur Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl, which caused shockwaves within the NFL.

Flacco’s season by the numbers

Flacco started 10 games in the 2025 NFL season and ended with a 2-8 record. He completed 60.3% of his passes as he threw for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Flacco’s passer rating this season was 79.2 across both the Browns and the Bengals.

Flacco is highly respected in the NFL, but those numbers are not Pro Bowl-worthy. However, after the Sanders fiasco, now pretty much everyone can get into the Pro Bowl. The NFL really cheapened the ‘Pro Bowler‘ tag this year.

It’s been a week full of bad moments for the NFL

Shedeur Sanders going to the Pro Bowl alongside Joe Flacco is not bad enough for the NFL. This week, Bill Belichick was snubbed from being a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The league’s seriousness has really taken a hit in between the Conference Finals and the Super Bowl.

It’s bad look after bad look. The Pro Bowl made the change to a flag football game two years ago, where they had 6.3 million viewers. Last year, it dipped all the way to 4.7 million, and now, it could go even lower.

That’s where the carousel of names begins to turn, and there is one in particular within the same division who would have no issue making the move to Pittsburgh. The name? Joe Flacco.

The former Super Bowl champion with the Ravens played last season for both the Browns and the Bengals, and after a major admission about his NFL future dismissing the idea of an imminent retirement, the veteran did not rule out the possibility of becoming a Steeler if given the call.

“There’s something about the Steelers that seems a little bit different because they were our rival for so many years,” Flacco said on the BMore Football Podcast, via the Baltimore Sun’s Bennett Conlin. “But at the end of the day, I play football because I love it. It is a job of mine. If somebody is hiring me, that is a pretty big deal.“

What’s next for Rodgers after McCarthy’s arrival?

The arrival of Mike McCarthy as the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers has added a fascinating twist to the uncertain future of Aaron Rodgers. Following the departure of Mike Tomlin—the primary reason Rodgers landed in Pittsburgh—the veteran quarterback openly flirted with retirement and was widely expected to leave the franchise.

However, the hiring of McCarthy, with whom Rodgers famously won a Super Bowl in Green Bay, has reportedly reopened the door for a potential reunion in 2026. While the future Hall of Famer remains a free agent and has yet to define his next move, the chance to “run it back” with his longtime mentor might be the only thing capable of delaying his exit from the game.

Now, the question many are asking is whether the 41-year-old still has the internal drive to suit up again next season. While logic might suggest that retirement could be a reasonable option, Flacco appears to have other plans.

“A lot of guys talk about falling out of love with the game or just kind of knowing,” Flacco said this week on the BMore Football Podcast, via the Baltimore Sun’s Bennett Conlin. “I don’t think that’s hit me yet.”

He also add: “We talk about 40 being an old age, but in the grand scheme of things, I don’t really think you’re that old. I think we’ve had a couple guys in front of me that are the best to ever do it that have shown if you want to do it, you can still play at a high level.”

Flacco’s numbers in 2025

Joe Flacco’s 2025 season was a journey of two halves within the AFC North, marked by veteran resilience and a mid-year change of scenery. After beginning the campaign as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Flacco was eventually sent to the Cincinnati Bengals midway through the season to provide much-needed stability.

Despite the transition between divisional rivals, he managed to put up productive numbers across 13 total games, finishing the year with 2,479 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while maintaining a 40.9 QBR.

Trey Hendrickson’s impact off the edge headlines the list, while Joe Flacco represents a different kind of value—experience, stability and depth at a critical position. Together, they reflect the range of decisions they may soon face.

Free agency rarely tells its full story early. With other contributors also nearing the end of their deals, the NFL team’s long-term picture begins to take shape, shaped as much by timing and finances as by performance on the field.

Cincinnati Bengals free agents in 2026

The Bengals find themselves at a crossroads after a 2025 season that fell short of Super Bowl expectations, finishing with a 6–11 record. While the offense remains anchored by long-term extensions for its star receivers, both sides of the ball are facing a significant identity shift.

The front office is now forced to reconcile with a “win-now” window that is rapidly shifting, as several high-impact starters across the defensive line and secondary see their contracts expire simultaneously.

With significant cap space available, Cincinnati has the rare opportunity to be aggressive in the market, but the decisions made this winter will determine whether they reload for another run or begin a slow fade into reconstruction.

It’s Joe Flacco. The Super Bowl champion lost his starting job in Cleveland and was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals. While he showed glimpses of productivity, the veteran knew he was on borrowed time, as once Joe Burrow recovered, he was going to be benched.

Now, Flacco, who is 41 years old, instead of looking for retirement, is looking for a place where he can play. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it,” Flacco said.

The future is cloudy for Flacco

Flacco went 2-8 this season in 10 starts, completing a 60.3% of his passes and 15 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. The fact is he had plenty of good moments. However, it’s hard to find a team that would give a veteran like Flacco the opportunity to start.

A team would rather take a chance on a young buck with upside, than a veteran like Flacco who might have his days numbered in the NFL. You can see it on the Browns this year. As soon as they could, the Browns rather had Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders play over Flacco despite the results.

Flacco is a premium backup

To be fair, Flacco is a premium backup in the NFL, given that he is productive. He won’t buy much wins, but he won’t cost a team many losses. He still has an arm and he is very intelligent. His physical peak is beyond him, but he is still capable.

Best-case scenario is that a team has an open competition to be quarterback one and Flacco enters that competition. Still, it would be a bit irrational to think Flacco could just go and become QB1 without any trepidation. Flacco loves football and will compete, but the fact is that it will be an uphill battle.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Burrow won’t be moved to the active roster yet, remaining on IR this week. Hence, Joe Flacco will be the starter against New England in Week 12.

However, all signs point to Burrow being back next week at Thanksgiving. The Bengals’ NFL Playoffs hopes are hanging by a thread. If they can’t beat the Patriots, they’re almost eliminated from contention. Still, they won’t risk Burrow.

Flacco won’t have his best weapon

Joe Flacco is not responsible for the bad Bengals season. As a matter of fact, he has kept the offense explosive. He has guided the Bengals to three 33+ point games in five of his outings. Flacco has 1,453 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions with a 96.2 passer rating with the Bengals. Still, this will be a tough test given he won’t have Ja’Marr Chase, his best receiver, due to a suspension.

Chase spat on Steelers’ cornerback Jalen Ramsey and the NFL punished him by suspending him for this game. Without Chase, Tee Higgins should be getting plenty of looks. Still, much of the offensive playbook relies on Chase, so it will be a tough outing for the Bengals.

The Bengals defense will suffer

The Patriots offer two big threats to the weak Bengals defense. First, MVP contender Drake Maye who is burning defenses left and right with his arm. Bengals are the 31st-ranked passing defense in the NFL.

The other big threat is rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson. He has 492 yards and five touchdowns in only 100 attempts. Also, Cincinnati has the worst-ranked rushing defense in the league. Hence, the Patriots have everything to score easily on the Bengals.

Earlier this year, Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury that has kept him sidelined. His return is imminent, but in the meantime Joe Flacco has been leading the offense.

Burrow has had a solid tenure with the Bengals, and everyone knows he will regain the starting job once he is healthy — and Flacco is fully aware of that.

Joe Flacco sends message to Bengals about Joe Burrow’s upcoming return

Joe Flacco has delivered decent performances with the Bengals. While results haven’t always gone his way — largely due to defensive struggles — his numbers show he is still a reliable quarterback.

However, his days as the starter appear to be numbered. Joe Burrow is expected to return in the coming days, creating a new dilemma for Flacco.

The veteran quarterback believes he still has what it takes to be a starter elsewhere. Flacco knows he’ll be relegated to a backup role once Burrow returns, and that’s not something he wants.

“Hopefully it reinforces it in somebody’s mind that I can do it,” Joe Flacco said, via Ben Baby of ESPN.com. “I do still want to do it. I still feel like I can do it. This obviously does help with the confidence of being able to do it and all that stuff. I would like an opportunity, but you just never know.”

Which teams could be interested in Joe Flacco in 2026?

Flacco has made it clear he wants to be a starter in 2026. If that opportunity doesn’t arise, he would likely retire. Still, there are a few potential landing spots that could give him the role he wants next year.

The Jets and Saints appear to be two plausible destinations for Flacco, depending on whether they draft a top quarterback prospect. The Vikings and Cardinals could also show interest, but most likely for a backup role.