Cincinnati Bengals Re-Sign Joe Flacco to 1-Year Deal

General manager Duke Tobin and the Cincinnati Bengals are in the process of turning the franchise around to end a three-year playoff drought in 2026. It’s clear that a star-studded offense led by 2024 NFL Passing Yards Leader Joe Burrow at the helm, the consistent failures are receiving a direct impact from the defense, or lack thereof. 

Tobin started off free agency hot by signing former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Boye Mafe, former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, and former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Bringing in multiple Super Bowl winners, along with a veteran and former Pro Bowler, should provide much-needed experience, leadership, and championship DNA to a young defense that is hungry to learn and get better. 

That doesn’t mean that the offense shouldn’t receive an eye as well. Re-signing offensive guard Dalton Risner was a key priority for the Bengals, and being able to get that done provides continuity and chemistry that can be built off of last season. Extending offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. further adds to that notion, along with signing backup quarterback Josh Johnson for more veteran leadership. 

Big news arrived Tuesday evening about Cincinnati’s backup quarterback from 2025, who had commented on his aspirations of being a starter for another franchise next season. 

Former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco agreed to a 1-year deal worth $6 million to remain with the Bengals. After being traded from the Cleveland Browns midseason, the 41-year-old quarterback played in nine games for the Bengals, mostly while Burrow was out due to turf toe. 

This is a significant development for an aspiring Bengals franchise. While Burrow is undoubtedly one of the best in his position in the entire league, his injury history raises concern. Re-signing a veteran who is still capable of being a starter to back up the former LSU Tiger provides stability that Cincinnati may need in an emergency situation. Obviously, the hope is that Burrow can stay healthy and put together another MVP-caliber season as he did in 2024, but playing in just 18 games total in 2023 and 2025 calls for security if he goes down again. 

2025 showed that the offense can be successful, regardless of who is throwing the ball. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have proven that they deserve to be in the conversation, if not leading it, to be the best wide-receiver duo in the NFL. Having a quarterback who is going into his 19th season proved to be beneficial to these playmakers because of his strong IQ and ability to read the game. Throw in rising star running back Chase Brown, along with a striving offensive line, and Flacco will be in the best possible scenario if his work is required in 2026.