Joe Flacco, Bengals Agree to New Contract as Joe Burrow's Backup After Pro Bowl Nod

After starting six games for them last season, the Cincinnati Bengals are bringing Joe Flacco back as their No. 2 quarterback in 2026.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Flacco will sign a one-year contract with Cincinnati to stay on as Joe Burrow's backup. He also had interest from the Las Vegas Raiders, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Flacco's deal is for $6 million with a maximum value of $9 million, per Fowler.

Despite being 41 years old, Flacco admitted at the end of last season that his mind wasn't in a place where he was seriously considering retirement:

"I've tried to come up with a good answer for everybody, but it's a hard question to answer. I've played football most of my life. I think you think about an end. You do think about one day being done, but at the same time, year to year, you don't really think about that. You're just like, 'Oh, offseason. Time to work out and get ready for the next season.' And I think that for the most part, my head is still in that space."

Flacco has become a go-to veteran in recent years for teams seeking a capable veteran to fill out their quarterback room. He was named Comeback Player of the Year in 2023 after going 4-1 as the starter for the Cleveland Browns, despite not being signed until November.

The 2024 season saw Flacco enter the year as the backup to Anthony Richardson. He wound up starting six games when Richardson was unavailable due to injuries.

Flacco returned to the Browns at the start of the 2025 campaign and was named their Week 1 starter. He struggled in four starts with eight turnovers (six interceptions) and was benched for rookie Dillon Gabriel after Week 4.

Days after being benched by the Browns, Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals as they sought a short-term starter with Joe Burrow out due to a turf toe injury.

The more quarterback-friendly environment in Cincinnati helped Flacco put up strong numbers. He threw for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in six starts to earn a Pro Bowl nod as an injury replacement. It was his first time making the Pro Bowl team.

Flacco is no longer someone who is going to elevate a system like he did at times during his peak with the Baltimore Ravens. But he has enough experience and arm talent to be effective when he gets called into action.

Given that Burrow has missed at least seven games in two of the previous three seasons, the Bengals need stability at the backup quarterback spot. Flacco knows their system and can keep the offense moving if he is asked to step in.