Joe Flacco admits frustration about his backup status but embraces his Bengals return.
The Cincinnati Bengals have secured continuity at quarterback, re-signing Joe Flacco to a one-year deal for the 2026 season. The move keeps a veteran presence behind Joe Burrow after Flacco played a significant role during the 2025 campaign.
Flacco, 41, made it clear he still views himself as a starting-caliber quarterback despite returning in a backup role.
“Believe me, I wish I was a guy somewhere. And I think teams are dumb for not having me be that guy.”
“Not being one of those guys to go sign somewhere, it pisses me off a little bit. But at the same time, I’m very happy to be here.”
Cincinnati acquired Flacco midseason in 2025 after Burrow suffered a turf toe injury. He appeared in nine games with six starts, completing 158 of 256 passes for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions, earning his first career Pro Bowl selection.
One of his most notable performances came against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he completed 31 of 47 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns, leading Cincinnati to a division win. His stretch also included a 470-yard, four-touchdown game against the Chicago Bears, the highest single-game yardage of his career.
Joe Flacco is Poised for Another Big Year Behind Joe Burrow
Flacco enters his 19th NFL season with one of the most extensive résumés among active quarterbacks. Drafted 18th overall in 2008 by the Baltimore Ravens, he has thrown for 48,176 yards, 272 touchdowns and 172 interceptions across his career.
He is best known for leading Baltimore to victory in Super Bowl XLVII, where he was named Super Bowl MVP. Since leaving the Ravens, Flacco has played for multiple teams, including the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts, before arriving in Cincinnati.
His 2025 stint with the Bengals reinforced his value. He stabilized the offense during Burrow’s absence and delivered efficient production, particularly limiting turnovers with just four interceptions. While the team went 1-5 in his starts, defensive struggles were a major factor in those results rather than quarterback play.
For 2026, Flacco’s role is clearly defined. He will operate as Burrow’s primary backup, providing experience, reliability and the ability to step into the lineup if needed. His familiarity with the system and receivers, including Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could prove useful down the stretch should the Bengals need a extra hand under center.
Cincinnati’s decision reflects roster stability rather than change. With Burrow returning as the starter, Flacco offers a proven option behind him, ensuring the offense can function without significant drop-off if injuries occur again.