Image Source: Chris Roling, Bengals Wire
Key Takeaways
- Joe Flacco, the veteran quarterback, wants to be more selective in his next career move and may consider returning to the Cincinnati Bengals if a starting job doesn’t open up elsewhere.
- Flacco, who will turn 41 this month, may not have a strong market for a starting role due to his age and the perception that his performance was boosted by playing with talented receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
- The Bengals have expressed interest in having Flacco return as Joe Burrow’s backup, and re-signing him would fill an important need for the team.
- Flacco’s experience and ability to learn an offense quickly made him a valuable asset to the Bengals after he was traded for mid-season.
Introduction to Joe Flacco’s Future Plans
As the Cincinnati Bengals look to the future, one of their key players, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, is weighing his options. With his current contract set to expire, Flacco has hinted that he wants to be more selective in his next career move. According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, Flacco stated, "For the last five, six years of my career, I don’t want to say ‘Quick,’ but I definitely looked at a lot of situations as a good opportunity. If a certain situation is actually a good opportunity, I’m probably at the point I had hoped there would be maybe something in my mind if I didn’t really love it, I would be able to say no." This suggests that Flacco is looking for a situation that truly aligns with his goals and values, rather than simply taking any available opportunity.
The Bengals’ Interest in Re-Signing Flacco
The Bengals have made it clear that they would like to have Flacco return as Joe Burrow’s backup. When the team traded for Flacco mid-season, it was due in part to his ability to quickly learn an offense and provide a veteran presence behind Burrow. As Hobson notes, Flacco "did just that, then was an important resource and backup behind Burrow upon the starter’s return." The Bengals’ interest in re-signing Flacco is likely driven by the need to fill a key hole in their roster, as they had to trade for him mid-season in the first place. By locking in Flacco, the team would be able to check off one of their overlooked big needs of the offseason.
Flacco’s Chances of Landing a Starting Role
However, Flacco’s chances of landing a starting role elsewhere in the NFL are uncertain. At 41 years old, he may not be considered a top option for teams looking for a starting quarterback. Additionally, the perception that his performance was boosted by playing with talented receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins may also work against him. As a result, Flacco may not have a strong market for a starting role, which could make the Bengals a more attractive option for him. As Flacco himself noted, he is at a point in his career where he can be more selective, and if he doesn’t love a particular opportunity, he is willing to say no.
The Importance of Re-Signing Flacco
Re-signing Flacco would be an important move for the Bengals, as it would provide stability and depth at the quarterback position. With Burrow as the starter, Flacco would be able to provide a veteran presence and serve as a mentor to the younger quarterback. Additionally, Flacco’s ability to learn an offense quickly would make him a valuable asset to the team, even if he is not playing as a starter. As the Bengals look to build on their recent success, re-signing Flacco would be a key step in solidifying their roster and preparing for the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Joe Flacco’s future plans are uncertain, but it appears that he is open to returning to the Cincinnati Bengals if a starting job doesn’t open up elsewhere. The Bengals have expressed interest in re-signing him, and it would be a key move for the team to fill an important need at the quarterback position. With Flacco’s experience and ability to learn an offense quickly, he would be a valuable asset to the team, even if he is not playing as a starter. As Flacco himself noted, he is at a point in his career where he can be more selective, and if he doesn’t love a particular opportunity, he is willing to say no. Only time will tell what the future holds for Flacco, but it is clear that he is a player who is highly valued by the Bengals and would be a key addition to their roster.
https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2026/01/08/joe-flacco-bengals-free-agents-2026/88074272007/