At 41 years old, Joe Flacco is entering his 19th NFL season — and he’s doing it right back where he ended last year, backing up Joe Burrow in Cincinnati.

How he got here

Flacco joined the Bengals via trade from Cleveland last October after Burrow went down with a toe injury. Over nine games with six starts, Flacco threw for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just four interceptions, helping Cincinnati’s offense average 27.2 points per game during his stretch as starter. That performance earned him his first career Pro Bowl selection — a notable achievement for a player who’s been in the league since being drafted 18th overall back in 2008.

A long, well-traveled career

Flacco spent his first 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, highlighted by a Super Bowl MVP performance in the 2012 playoffs, when he threw for 1,140 yards and 11 touchdowns without a single interception across four postseason games. Since leaving Baltimore, he’s suited up for the Broncos, Jets, Eagles, a second stint with the Jets, the Browns, the Colts, a second stint with the Browns, and now Cincinnati. For his career, he’s thrown for more than 48,000 yards and 272 touchdowns.

What his role looks like now

Flacco signed a one-year deal worth $6 million, with up to $3 million more in incentives, to return as Burrow’s primary backup for 2026. Bengals coach Zac Taylor has been openly complimentary of Flacco’s game, saying last season that he still views him as a starting-caliber quarterback in the league. Given his track record of stepping in and performing well when called upon, Bengals fans have reason to feel comfortable with Flacco as the team’s insurance policy behind their franchise quarterback.