Veteran Joe Flacco Returns To Be Joe Burrow’s Backup For Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have brought back veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. 

This will be a one-year, $4.25 million contract. Flacco was acquired by the Bengals in a midseason trade with the Cleveland Browns.

Flacco had 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2025. This was the most touchdowns Flacco has thrown since 2017. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection of the season, though it was largely ceremonial. 

Flacco was a huge part of the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII championship. He won the Super Bowl MVP after throwing three touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers.

Flacco was never able to turn this Super Bowl run into consistent regular-season success. The season after the Super Bowl, he threw 19 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

In 2018, the Ravens moved in a different direction by drafting Lamar Jackson. Flacco started at first and had a solid 12 touchdowns in nine games. However, he was benched for Jackson.

Since the 2018 season, Flacco has served as the backup for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Browns, Indianapolis Colts and Bengals.

Flacco started 13 games in 2025. This was the most games he’s started in since 2017. This was due to the Browns being without Deshaun Watson and the Bengals being without Joe Burrow due to injury. 

Burrow had a foot injury that kept him out from Week 3 through Week 12. After his return, he had 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. 

Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher runs a QB-centric scheme that gives the QB quick passes to avoid pressure. This program is good for Burrow, who is injury-prone and Flacco, who is one of the oldest QBs in the league. 

Training camps will begin in July. The Bengals aim to keep Burrow healthy and make the playoffs for the first time since 2022.