Reports: QB Joe Flacco, 41, returning to Bengals

Field Level Media|published: Tue 24th March, 19:07 2026

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) stands on the sideline in the second quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.

Joe Flacco garnered interest from the Las Vegas Raiders, among other teams, but opted to return to the Cincinnati Bengals and agreed to a one-year deal, multiple reports said Tuesday.

Per ESPN, the contract is $6 million, though incentives could elevate the deal to $9 million.

Flacco, 41, is entering his 19th NFL season after filling in for an injured Joe Burrow last season. With Bengals backup Jake Browning struggling, the Bengals shipped a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Browning joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this month.

In nine games (six starts) with Cincinnati in 2025, Flacco threw for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 61.7% of his passes. He threw for a career-high 470 yards in a loss to the Chicago Bears despite playing with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder.

Flacco made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2026 as a replacement at the Pro Bowl Games.

The MVP of Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens, who selected him in the first round (No. 18 overall) in 2008, Flacco has 272 touchdown passes and 172 interceptions, along with 48,176 passing yards in his career. Before joining the Bengals, Flacco also played for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Browns.

--Field Level Media

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