The Cincinnati Bengals locked up their backup quarterback in a reunion with Joe Flacco.
The Cincinnati Bengals had a rough 2025 campaign filled with quarterback injuries, notably a lengthy absence for Joe Burrow with a turf toe injury. In his immediate absence, Jake Browning struggled quite a bit until the team made a trade with a division rival, sending a 2026 fifth rounder to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for quarterback Joe Flacco and a 2026 sixth rounder. Flacco was surprisingly solid at 41 years old, and the team is going to run it back with Joe backing up Joe, as Flacco agreed to terms on a one-year deal to remain with the Bengals. The contract is for $6 million, but could reach up to $9 million in incentives, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Flacco made six starts for Cincinnati in place of Burrow – and Browning, now with the Tampa Bay Bucs – and appeared in nine total games. He completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. His efforts earned him his first-ever Pro Bowl nod in his 18-year career when he was named as a replacement. Previously, it was thought that Flacco may have wanted to parlay his momentum into a potential starting role in 2026, but it appears that he’ll come be a valuable veteran and leader behind Burrow who is more than serviceable if needed.
Here is the full story from Bengals Roundtable writer Garret Schnitker on the significant signing in Cincy’s quarterback room.
The team is hoping to end a three-year playoff drought, and while it takes a team effort, a quarterback can make or break a squad – and that can include the backup. The Bengals have one of the more solid vets in the league in Flacco.