Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco earned his first Pro Bowl nod this year, but he's not satisfied. While he's happy for former teammate Sam Darnold ahead of his Super Bowl appearance with the Seattle Seahawks, the 41-year-old still wants to reach those heights himself, via the "Up & Adams Show With Kay Adams."

"I played with Sam in New York and have a lot of respect for him and just got to see behind the scenes with him," Flacco said. "I'm definitely rooting for his success. But at the same time you'd much rather be that guy, and when this is your profession and it's what you do for a living, it always hurts just a little bit to watch other people do it."

Flacco was Darnold's backup with the New York Jets in 2020 before the team traded Darnold to the Carolina Panthers the following offseason. The latter player played 18 games over two seasons in Carolina before backing up Brock Purdy with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. He then had a breakout season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, tossing a career-high 4,319 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on a 66.2 completion percentage.

However, the Vikings still rolled with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy as their quarterback of the future, and Darnold signed with the Seahawks in the offseason. Now, the former USC Trojan is in the Super Bowl as a starting quarterback.

Meanwhile, Flacco also had a career renaissance after his Jets tenure, but not to the same degree. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs after Deshaun Watson went down in 2023, played eight games with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, and played nine games with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025. He subbed in for the injured Anthony Richardson and the injured Joe Burrow after the Browns traded him to the Bengals this past season.

While Flacco will represent Cincinnati in the Pro Bowl, he's hitting free agency this offseason. The former Super Bowl MVP has proven that he's still a capable backup, as he tossed 2,479 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 picks on a 60.3 completion percentage this past year.

However, it won't be easy for Flacco to start in a Super Bowl again. Not only is he in the twilight of his career, but any team that would sign him as a starter likely wouldn't be a championship-caliber one.

Flacco's best bet is taking another backup job on a contending team, as he'd be one injury away from getting back on the field with a talented squad around him. Staying with the Bengals wouldn't be a bad choice since they have star wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as well as running back Chase Brown.

Wherever Flacco goes, that team will get a veteran that's not only experienced but still has the competitive fire necessary to succeed at the top level.