Flacco started four games for Cincinnati following a midseason trade from the Cleveland Browns, securing the position as the franchise began to rise. In all, the veteran started 10 games at age 40 for the Browns and Bengals, completing 60.3% of his passes for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2025. His clubs went 2-8 in those starts.
Despite his smarts and ability to keep an offense moving, it’s no surprise that teams wouldn’t be looking for the 41-year-old quarterback in his 19th year who has never been the mobile type. Flacco could have waited until the summer to see if a gig opened up, but decided to take the offer to stay in Cincinnati behind Burrow.
“I had conversations with (coach) Zac (Taylor) about that, just like waiting versus signing,” Flacco said. “Being around the boys and playing football is what I enjoy doing and it’s important for me to be out there doing that.”
“I went into the offseason expecting to have a lot of options and have to think about it, make a really big decision. I think that kind of came up at some point in this offseason. Can I do this or do that? There was also a part of me going into the offseason that was like, ‘Oh, I’m willing to go home and sit out’ if that’s the case. And then when the summer break came around, it was like I wanted to go somewhere, compete and start. But whatever time, if the situation isn’t exactly how I want it and I don’t really feel that situation… I started to feel good about it. In my gut I started to feel good about the possibility of coming back here.”
Flacco said he hasn’t had conversations with the Bengals about the possibility of them letting him go to another team if a starting need arises — as happened last year when he was in Cleveland — but said he wouldn’t shy away from those “adult conversations” if the need arises.
Burrow has missed significant time in three of his six seasons, including eight games last year. It’s possible that Flacco’s easiest path to playing time in 2026 could be in Cincy.