Some may wonder if such a reality could negatively affect the dynamic between Burrow and Flacco, and if it could poison a Bengals locker room that is already dealing with its own controversy thanks to the breakdown of their sieve-like defense.
Flacco downplayed such concerns, noting the benefits of sharing a room with a signal caller who had plenty of experience leading Zac Taylor’s offense.
“Look, I think you can probably make too much of it to be honest,” Flacco said. “I mean, look, we’re just two quarterbacks sitting in a room, and it’s not like we’re doing anything groundbreaking in there. We’re two quarterbacks in a room just like any other two quarterbacks for the most part. I think, like I said, for me, I’m still new to the offense, and it’s not just him, it’s also Jake” (you’re still seeing where the action is). things and little questions like that from these guys, I think that’s the biggest thing though.
“But if I kind of understand where they’re coming from, it makes it a little bit easier for me. … (Burrow) has been great to have in the room just because he’s been running this offense and really been out there doing it for quite a few years now. So it’s always fun to be able to see … how he can do things.”
The offense has been excellent since Flacco took over in Week 6. The veteran has averaged 313.5 yards per game, has a 102.6 passer rating and has an 11-2 TD-INT ratio in four contests, keeping the Bengals in every matchup with his arm. It’s Flacco’s latest attempt to save a team with playoff aspirations and lead it to postseason play, but unlike his magical run in Cleveland in 2023, he can’t make up for Cincinnati’s awful defense.
If Flacco wants to finish his 18th NFL season with another storybook trip to the playoffs, he may have to put the team on his back to do it. Cincinnati will hope he can keep its hopes afloat until Burrow is ready to return next month.