Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco addressed viral meme in a recent interview with Front Office Sports.
Joe Flacco is preparing for his second stint with the Cincinnati Bengals after re-signing on a one-year, $6 million deal plus incentives in late March. The 41-year-old for steady veteran presence behind Joe Burrow. Flacco earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2025 while providing reliable relief and leadership for Cincinnati, and he is expected to assume the same role when the league resumes in September.
With his future in the NFL now confirmed, Flacco has kept himself busy during the offseason, making appearances on podcasts and granting interviews.
In a recent wide-ranging conversation with Front Office Sports, Flacco directly confronted the long-running “Is Joe Flacco elite?” meme that has followed him for more than a decade.
“People may be trying to get a rise out of me or some kind of reaction when they say it,” Flacco said.
He added that he has “an idea of why that was a thing” but stopped short of elaborating on whether he considers the question answered or if he has ever fully addressed it.
The meme originated during Flacco’s peak years with the Baltimore Ravens, particularly after his record $120.6 million contract extension in 2013. Critics and fans alike began using the phrase ironically as he posted strong postseason numbers (including a Super Bowl MVP performance in 2013) yet faced constant scrutiny over his regular-season efficiency and arm talent compared to contemporaries like Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees.
The question became a viral staple on social media, spawning countless memes, debates and even Flacco’s own playful engagement with it during his career resurgence in 2023 with the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos.
Now in Cincinnati for his 19th NFL season, Flacco has embraced a backup role with the same poise that carried him through 209 regular-season games (195 starts). Over the course of his illustrious career, the veteran quarterback has recorded 48,176 passing yards and 272 touchdowns in the regular season.
His 2025 performance with the Bengals included efficient relief appearances that helped stabilize the offense during Burrow’s lengthy absence. Flacco played nine games for the Bengals (six starts), throwing for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
His performances included a 342-yard game against Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers and a 470-yard outing against the Chicago Bears. Despite the team’s overall failures, Flacco remained steady on offense and his contributions helped the unit rank 12th in the NFL in 2025.
At 41, Flacco has made clear he focuses on preparation and team culture rather than external noise.