Joe Flacco isn’t ready to hang up the cleats just yet-but at 41 years old and entering what would be his 19th NFL season, he’s not just looking for a paycheck or a clipboard. According to Jeremy Fowler, the veteran quarterback has been in discussions with the Cincinnati Bengals about a possible return, though he’s also drawn interest from the Vikings and Steelers.
Flacco, who’s just two years removed from a surprising late-season playoff push with the Browns, made it clear: if he’s coming back, it has to be for the right reasons.
“At this point, I don’t want to just sign up with anybody,” Flacco said. “I don’t want to just play football or be on the sideline for the sake of being out there.”
That’s not just veteran speak-it’s a window into where Flacco sees himself in the current quarterback landscape. He’s not chasing reps for nostalgia’s sake. He wants a shot at meaningful football, and ideally, a path to compete for playing time.
Cincinnati, where Flacco finished the 2025 season after being traded midyear from Cleveland, remains a possibility. But even that comes with caveats.
“I like the idea of Cincinnati,” Flacco said. “But at the same time, you are resigning to something there. There’s a world where I could see that happening, but I have to see what’s out there.”
Translation: he’s not ruling it out, but he’s keeping his options open-especially if another team offers a more direct route to the field.
Flacco’s NFL journey has been anything but conventional. A former first-round pick by the Ravens in 2008, he spent over a decade in Baltimore, highlighted by a Super Bowl MVP performance that still stands as one of the most iconic playoff runs in recent memory.
After that, his career took on a journeyman arc-Denver traded for him in 2019, but he never quite found his footing there. He was released with a failed physical designation while still under a six-year, $125 million contract.
From there, Flacco bounced around: the Jets (twice), the Eagles, the Browns, the Colts, and most recently, the Bengals. In 2025, he suited up for both Cleveland and Cincinnati, appearing in 13 games and completing 60.3% of his passes for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Those aren’t MVP numbers, but they’re more than serviceable-especially for a guy who was out of football not long ago.
What’s kept Flacco in the league this long, aside from his arm talent and experience, is his ability to step in and stabilize a situation. He’s not a long-term answer anymore, but he’s proven he can still win games and command a locker room.
That’s why teams like the Vikings and Steelers are reportedly sniffing around. Both could use a veteran presence-someone who can either mentor a young QB or step in if things go sideways.
The question now is whether Flacco finds a landing spot that aligns with his vision: a team that offers a shot to compete, not just stand by. If that team doesn’t materialize, he sounds content to walk away.
But if it does? Don’t be surprised to see No. 5 (or whatever number he’s wearing next) slinging passes again this fall.