CINCINNATI — Joe Flacco isn’t ready to hang up the cleats just yet. Fresh off a 2025 campaign that saw him earn his first career Pro Bowl nod at age 41, the veteran quarterback enters free agency with a massive chip on his shoulder. After keeping the Cincinnati Bengals’ season alive following Joe Burrow’s season-ending turf toe injury, Flacco must now decide between the security of a backup role in the Queen City or the gamble of a starting job elsewhere.
The Ohio Odyssey: From Cleveland to the Pro Bowl
Flacco’s 2025 season reads like a movie script. He began the year as the starter for the Cleveland Browns but was traded to the rival Bengals in Week 6 after Burrow went down. In 13 total appearances across both franchises, the “Elite” one racked up 2,479 yards and 15 touchdowns. His peak came on November 2 against Chicago, where he torched the Bears for a career-high 470 passing yards, proving the old man still has the biggest arm in the room.
While his 10 interceptions and 41.0 QBR suggest some volatility, the Bengals’ brass saw enough to want him back. Cincinnati averaged over 27 points per game with Flacco under center, a stark contrast to the stagnant offense seen under Jake Browning earlier in the year. The Bengals have already signaled their intent to keep him, viewing him as the ultimate insurance policy for Burrow.
“I think if the opportunity is good enough early on, then you say, ‘Yes, oh, you’re gonna allow me to play.’ You jump on it. But ultimately, that is the ultimate goal, to get an opportunity to play. It can also be kind of crappy to be on a team as a number two, and opportunities start coming up, and you’re already locked in with a team.”
— Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback
The Bidders: Pittsburgh and Minnesota Loom
The Bengals aren’t the only ones watching the phone. Reports suggest the Pittsburgh Steelers are keeping a close eye on Flacco, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ future in the Steel City. If Rodgers opts not to re-sign with Pittsburgh for the 2026 season, the Steelers view Flacco as a bridge-to-the-future option who knows the AFC North better than anyone alive.
The Minnesota Vikings also remain a dark horse. Kevin O’Connell’s staff looked at Flacco last offseason and could circle back if they feel their current room lacks veteran stability. For Flacco, the choice is clear: sign early and embrace the clipboard in Cincinnati, or wait for a summer injury to open a door to the starting lineup. Given his performance last fall, he has earned the right to be picky.
