Joe Flacco, now wearing Bengals stripes as Joe Burrow's understudy, isn't exactly whispering sweet nothings about his current role. The man who led the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII title firmly believes NFL teams were "dumb" for not signing him as a starter this offseason. And, honestly, you can almost hear the "told you so" in his voice. After his late-season heroics for the Browns in 2023, it’s hard to completely dismiss the guy. He went 4-1 as a starter for Cleveland, throwing for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in just five regular-season games. That's not backup production; that's a quarterback making a legitimate case.
Remember that stretch? The Browns were reeling, down to their fourth starting quarterback, and Flacco, who’d been on his couch, stepped in and brought them back from the brink. He connected with Amari Cooper for a ridiculous 265 yards against the Texans in Week 16, a franchise record for a receiver. He then threw for 309 yards and three scores against the Jets on Thursday Night Football, clinching a playoff berth. The Browns' offense, which had often looked stagnant, suddenly had life, rhythm, and a deep ball threat. Cleveland fans, who'd seen their fair share of quarterback carousel drama, were chanting his name.
So, why *didn't* anyone bite on Flacco as a starter? It’s a fair question, and one that probably keeps Flacco up at night. Teams like the Broncos, Raiders, and even the Patriots were all in the market for a veteran presence, a steady hand. Instead, Denver went with Zach Wilson and Bo Nix, Las Vegas is rolling with Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew, and New England drafted Drake Maye at No. 3 overall. All respectable moves, sure, but none scream "proven winner" in the way Flacco’s December run did. He might be 39, but his arm strength didn't vanish, and his decision-making, while sometimes a bit risky, still produced points. He finished 2023 with a 90.2 passer rating, his highest since 2014. That's not some washed-up old timer.
Here’s the thing: NFL general managers get caught up in age, in perceived mobility, in the "next big thing." They often overlook the value of a guy who simply knows how to win, even if it's not always pretty. Flacco's style isn't going to win you fantasy football championships with his rushing yards, but he’ll stand in the pocket, take a hit, and deliver a strike. His playoff run with the Ravens in 2012, when he threw for 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions en route to a Super Bowl MVP, is still one of the most clutch performances in recent memory.
Now, he's in Cincinnati, a stone's throw from where he spent his prime. He’s backing up Joe Burrow, a quarterback who's had his own injury struggles, including a season-ending wrist injury in 2023. If Burrow goes down again, the Bengals won't be trotting out a rookie or an unproven commodity. They'll have a Super Bowl champion, a guy who just proved he can still sling it at an elite level. It’s the best insurance policy in the league, and frankly, a smart move by Cincinnati.
My hot take? If Joe Flacco gets significant playing time for the Bengals this year, he leads them to a playoff berth. He's got something to prove, and that chip on his shoulder, combined with a talented receiving corps in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, would be a dangerous combination.