Joe Flacco is still one of the best backup quarterbacks out there.
Finding a good starting quarterback is one of the hardest things to do in the NFL, but finding a reliable backup is even harder. That's why it would be smart for the Cincinnati Bengals to bring back Joe Flacco for 2026.
The Bengals acquired the 41-year-old from the Cleveland Browns in October to fill in for the injured Joe Burrow, and he turned back the clock by throwing seven touchdowns and no picks over his first three starts with the team. That included a 342-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 33-31 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 16.
Flacco totaled 1,664 yards with 13 touchdowns and four picks over nine games for Cincinnati. The former Super Bowl MVP outperformed fellow backup Jake Browning, who tossed six touchdowns and eight interceptions over five games.
Flacco is 11 years older than Browning, but he's still more effective. Browning has totaled 18 touchdons and 15 interceptions over 17 career games, which isn't the worst career numbers for a backup. But given that Flacco has one of the best resumes of the 21st century and he can still play, it's obvious who the superior choice is.
Bengals Can Get Joe Flacco Back For Cheap
Free-agent quarterback Joe Flacco. © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Given that Burrow has had two injury-shortened seasons over the last three years and three since he got drafted in 2020, signing Flacco to a cheap deal would be valuable insurance for Cincinnati. The veteran has a market value of one year, $5.6 million, per Spotrac.
Flacco will hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, while Browning will hit restricted free agency. That means that the Bengals can retain Browning by matching any other offer sheet he gets from another team, but why bother when they can spend less than $6 million on a better option?
Cincinnati isn't likely to go far if Burrow misses extended time again next season, but Flacco is an ideal signal-caller for a two-to-three game stint. Having a capable quarterback for a couple of contests when the starter is out could be the difference between a team winning the division and missing the playoffs.
If Flacco goes to another team, the Bengals should still look for an upgrade to Browning. Veterans like Marcus Mariota and Tyrod Taylor have better track records and can still be had at affordable prices.
NFL free agency starts on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.