After coming in and playing more than admirably for the injured Joe Burrow last season, the Cincinnati Bengals are still interested in bringing back veteran Joe Flacco. This report comes on the heels of the team signing another familiar face in Josh Johnson this Saturday.
Per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:
The Bengals have continued to express interest in Flacco as the NFL’s annual game of quarterback musical chairs begins to slow.
Flacco joined the Bengals via a trade with the Browns after Week 5. Jake Browning faltered in Cincinnati for three games after Burrow went down, while Flacco was benched with Cleveland after being the Week 1 starter.
The ageless wonder threw 13 touchdowns versus just four interceptions, along with 1,664 passing yards in six starts with the team. Due to an immensely poor defense, the Bengals somehow went just 1-5 in those games, despite Flacco’s solid passing statistics.
As he became a free agent this offseason, the Bengals were interested in bringing him back as Burrow’s backup once again. And, while Flacco was reportedly interested in returning to Cincinnati, he is currently exploring any possible starting opportunities around the league. Browning, on the other hand, signed with Tampa Bay in the first week of 2026 free agency.
This weekend, Cincinnati surprised many by signing Johnson, a quarterback who has been in and out of the league since 2008. He was a backup to Andy Dalton back in 2013, and has played for six other NFL teams.
A reunion between Cincinnati and Flacco could either come soon or be something that drags out until after the draft. Both sides may see what teams end up netting at the quarterback position in late April, providing further clarity on Flacco’s potential to vie for a 2026 starting job.
Even with the lopsided win-loss record last year with the Bengals, Flacco provided stability, leadership and, quite frankly, a brand of watchable football that wasn’t being seen under Browning’s starts. After being a bit of an AFC North villain throughout most of his career, Flacco became a fan favorite, and if not for a couple of defensive collapses under his watch, Cincinnati’s season could have had a different outcome.
Would you want the Bengals to bring back Joe Flacco this offseason?
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