Joe Flacco is back in Cincinnati, a familiar face in an unfamiliar shade of orange. The former Super Bowl MVP signed a one-year deal with the Bengals, a move that flew under the radar for most. But Flacco, never one to shy from an opinion, made waves recently, suggesting teams were "dumb" for not signing him as a starter.
Look, you can't blame the guy for believing in himself. He just led the Cleveland Browns to a surprise playoff berth last season, throwing for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in just five regular-season starts. He completed 60.3% of his passes, a solid number for a quarterback who had been on the couch for much of the season. The Browns went 4-1 in games he started, including a crucial 37-20 win over the Jets in Week 17 that clinched their postseason spot. That’s not exactly backup-level production.
Here's the thing: Flacco is 39 years old. While his arm strength remains impressive, his mobility is a real concern. He took 18 sacks in those five starts for the Browns, a rate that would put most offensive lines in traction over a full season. For context, Patrick Mahomes was sacked 27 times in 16 starts in 2023. Teams are looking for long-term solutions at quarterback, or at least a bridge guy who can offer a bit more upside and durability. The Atlanta Falcons, for instance, opted for Kirk Cousins and his four-year, $180 million deal, despite Cousins coming off an Achilles tear. The Denver Broncos are rolling with Bo Nix, a rookie, rather than a proven veteran like Flacco.
It’s easy to point to his 2023 resurgence as proof, but context matters. Flacco played behind a very good Browns offensive line and had elite weapons like Amari Cooper and David Njoku. He also benefited from a simplified offensive scheme that played to his strengths. Would he have had the same success in, say, Carolina or New England? Probably not. Even in that Wild Card game against the Texans, Flacco threw two crucial interceptions, including a pick-six, as the Browns were blown out 45-14. That game served as a stark reminder that the magic can dissipate quickly.
For the Bengals, this move makes perfect sense. They saw firsthand in 2023 what happens when Joe Burrow goes down. Jake Browning stepped in admirably, leading the team to a 4-3 record in his seven starts, including a memorable 34-31 overtime win against the Vikings. But Browning is still relatively unproven. Flacco brings a Super Bowl ring and a wealth of experience. If Burrow were to miss time again, having a veteran like Flacco, who has played in every conceivable situation, is invaluable. He won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2013, going 11-0 in his career against Burrow’s Bengals before last season. That kind of poise under pressure is rare.
Real talk: Flacco's assessment of other teams is probably a little harsh. No NFL GM is "dumb" for making strategic decisions about the most important position on the field. But they absolutely missed an opportunity to snag a high-end backup who proved last year he can still win games. The Bengals got a steal.
My bold prediction? If Joe Burrow misses more than four games in 2024, Flacco will lead the Bengals to at least a .500 record in those starts, proving his value once again.