Joe Flacco Could Stay with Bengals if Unable to Find Starting Job in Free Agency

The veteran quarterback is set to hit the free market on Monday.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Joe Flacco is eyeing another starting job in the NFL, but if his market remains limited to backup roles, he would strongly consider returning to the Cincinnati Bengals after last year's mid-season trade. Flacco impressed as the first-string signal-caller for the Bengals in 2025, earning his first career Pro Bowl nod.

Why it matters

Flacco's potential return to the Bengals would provide valuable veteran leadership and stopgap flexibility at the quarterback position, especially with the current free-agent market and 2026 draft class lacking in top-tier arm talent.

The details

Flacco began his age-40 season with the Browns before getting sent to Cincinnati in October to fill in for the injured Joe Burrow, who missed three months of the 2025 campaign with a severe case of turf toe. The former Super Bowl MVP completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions across six starts (nine appearances) for the Bengals, holding the line until Burrow returned in Week 13.

  • Flacco is set to hit the free market on Monday, March 11, 2026.
  • Flacco filled in for the injured Joe Burrow during the 2025 NFL season.

The players

Joe Flacco

A veteran quarterback who is set to hit the free agent market and is looking for a chance to at least compete for another starting job in his 19th NFL season.

Joe Burrow

The Bengals' starting quarterback who missed three months of the 2025 season with a severe case of turf toe.

Tom Pelissero

An NFL Network reporter who provided the information about Flacco's potential return to the Bengals.

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What they’re saying

“Should his market remain limited to backup roles, said Pelissero, Flacco would 'strongly consider' returning to the Bengals after last year's mid-season trade.”

— Tom Pelissero, NFL Network Reporter (NFL Network)

What’s next

It's possible that the former Ravens star rides the momentum of his Pro Bowl season into another starting gig, offering stopgap flexibility and veteran leadership to franchises still looking for a long-term solution under center.

The takeaway

Flacco's potential return to the Bengals would provide valuable experience and stability at the quarterback position, especially with the current free agent market and upcoming draft class lacking in top-tier talent at the position.