Joe Flacco Still Has the Fire: Retirement Can Wait
Joe Flacco isn’t ready to close the book on his NFL career just yet. The veteran quarterback, who turned heads with a late-season resurgence, made it clear during a recent appearance on the BMore Football Podcast that he’s not feeling the pull to walk away from the game.
“A lot of guys talk about falling out of love with the game or just kind of knowing,” Flacco said. “I don’t think that’s hit me yet.”
That’s not just lip service. Flacco’s comments reflect the mindset of a player who still sees the offseason as a time to gear up, not wind down. He acknowledged that while the thought of retirement naturally crosses his mind, it hasn’t taken root.
“I’ve tried to come up with a good answer for everybody, but it’s a hard question to answer,” he continued. “I’ve played football most of my life.
You think about an end. You do think about one day being done, but at the same time, year to year, you don’t really think about that.
You’re just like, ‘Oh, offseason. Time to work out and get ready for the next season.’
And I think that for the most part, my head is still in that space.”
Flacco also pushed back on the notion that age alone should dictate the end of a career. At 40, he knows the number raises eyebrows-but he’s seen firsthand what’s possible when veteran QBs stay locked in.
“We talk about 40 being an old age, but in the grand scheme of things, I don’t really think you’re that old,” Flacco said. “I think we’ve had a couple guys in front of me that are the best to ever do it that have shown if you want to do it, you can still play at a high level.”
It’s clear Flacco isn’t just hanging on-he’s still wired like a competitor. Whether or not he suits up again next season, the mindset is still that of a pro who believes he can contribute.
John Harbaugh Reflects on Lamar Jackson and Baltimore’s Offensive Evolution
Though he’s now steering the ship in New York, John Harbaugh isn’t distancing himself from his time in Baltimore-or from Lamar Jackson.
“Phenomenal relationship with Lamar,” Harbaugh said in a recent radio interview. “Everything has been absolutely positive.
Ask him, he’ll tell you. We love each other.
We tell each other we love each other. He’s one of my favorite human beings.”
Harbaugh didn’t stop there. He made a point to spotlight the impact Jackson had on the game-and how their partnership helped reshape offensive football in the NFL.
“We revolutionized offensive football with Lamar Jackson,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t know why that doesn’t get written about more. So let’s talk about that more.”
It’s a fair point. Jackson’s MVP season and the Ravens’ dynamic, run-heavy scheme turned heads across the league and forced defenses to adjust. Harbaugh clearly believes that chapter of football history deserves more credit.
As for what’s next in Baltimore, the Ravens are in the market for a new offensive coordinator. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler listed some key names to watch in the search, including former Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, former Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Bills OC Joe Brady, and Broncos offensive pass game coordinator Davis Webb. Whoever steps into that role will inherit a system built around one of the league’s most electrifying quarterbacks-and the expectations that come with it.
Steelers’ Coaching Search Taps into Familiar Connections
New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy is already putting his stamp on the Pittsburgh staff, and he may be leaning on some familiar faces to do it.
One name to watch: Bears defensive backs coach Al Harris. He’s been drawing interest for defensive coordinator roles across the league and has a strong connection to McCarthy from their time together in Dallas. Harris served as McCarthy’s DB coach with the Cowboys, and that history could make him a strong candidate for the Steelers’ DC vacancy.
Another internal option reportedly under consideration is inside linebackers coach Scott McCurley. Like Harris, McCurley worked with McCarthy in Dallas in the same role and could be a candidate to stay on in Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, the Steelers are also making moves in their front office. They’re bringing in longtime Washington executive Tim Gribble to bolster their scouting department.
Gribble had been with the Commanders for nearly 25 years, serving most recently as their director of college personnel. His addition adds another experienced voice to a front office that’s clearly looking to build on a strong foundation.
With a new head coach and changes coming on both the coaching and personnel sides, Pittsburgh is entering a new era-but one that’s still rooted in continuity and trusted relationships.