Bengals Sign Joe Flacco to One-Year Deal

The Cincinnati Bengals have reached an agreement to bring back veteran quarterback Joe Flacco on a one-year contract. The move secures an experienced backup for starter Joe Burrow as the team prepares for the 2026 NFL season.

Flacco returns to Cincinnati for 19th NFL season

The agreement ensures that Flacco, who turned 41 in January, will remain in Cincinnati after joining the roster during the 2025 season. While financial terms of the new one-year deal were not immediately disclosed, the signing marks a continuation of the Bengals' strategy to maintain high-level veteran depth at the quarterback position.

Flacco’s return follows a stint where he provided stability to the quarterback room. Despite his age, Flacco has maintained a presence in the league through reliable relief appearances and a veteran locker room influence. The 2026 season will be his 19th in the league, a career spanning multiple franchises including the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and New York Jets.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco warms up before the Steelers game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Nov. 16, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)

Reliability behind Joe Burrow remains a priority

The decision to retain Flacco is centered on protecting the Bengals' offensive continuity. With Joe Burrow entering the season as the clear starter, the front office has opted for a proven commodity rather than a younger, unproven backup. This follows a reported trend of the Bengals valuing experienced signals-callers who can operate the system on short notice.

Flacco has expressed confidence in his current physical state and his ability to contribute if called upon. In recent comments regarding his longevity, he suggested that teams may be overlooking his capability to still perform at a high level. His familiarity with the Bengals' playbook and coaching staff was a significant factor in the quick resolution of contract talks as the free agency period approached.

Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco runs off the field before a field goal attempt against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 16, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

Tenure and veteran impact on the Bengals roster

Beyond his on-field role, Flacco’s presence is intended to assist Burrow in game preparation. The Bengals have historically sought out veteran backups to navigate the complexities of the AFC North, a division Flacco knows intimately from his decade-long tenure in Baltimore.

The signing effectively rounds out the top of the Bengals' quarterback depth chart heading into the draft and summer training camp. The team has not yet specified if they intend to carry additional quarterbacks or if Flacco is the definitive number-two option for the duration of the 2026 campaign.