Joe Flacco’s played for three of the four AFC North teams. He has no issues with completing the list. Though a longtime Baltimore Raven, Flacco says he’s open to playing for anyone next season – even the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I think it would be strange. I do think having a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey on would be a little more strange than even a Browns or Bengals jersey, for whatever reason,” he said on the BMore Sports pod hosted by Jerry Coleman and Mike Preston. “But I think at this point, I’m pretty much open for most things if I can see an opportunity in it.”

Flacco, now 41, was selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 2008 draft. There, he became a franchise quarterback and won a Super Bowl. He’s the team’s record holder in wins, passing yards, and passing touchdowns, though Lamar Jackson may one day break them. Since Jackson was drafted as the Ravens’ future in 2018, Flacco has bounced around the league. He spent 2019 with the Denver Broncos, 2020-2022 with the New York Jets, and 2023 with the Cleveland Browns. With Cleveland, he led the team into the playoffs with a resurgent quarter-season that saw him win NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

In 2024, he served as Anthony Richardson’s backup in Indianapolis but wound up starting six games. He came off the bench to replace an injured Richardson and beat the Steelers in a Week 4 game, throwing for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

Returning to Cleveland to compete for a job in 2025, he entered the regular season as the team’s starter. But he struggled mightily and a lack of receiving talent didn’t help him. In four starts, he threw just two touchdown passes to six interceptions. He was benched and then traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, a rare intra-division deal that drew Mike Tomlin’s scorn. 

Filling in for an injured Joe Burrow, Flacco played well. That included upsetting the Steelers in a Week 7 primetime game, repeatedly connecting with star WR Ja’Marr Chase in a 33-31 shootout win. Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, leading the game-winning drive in the final seconds. He played well until Burrow returned and was only hindered by Cincinnati’s horrid defense that repeatedly blew leads.

Flacco finished the 2025 season throwing 15 touchdown passes to 10 interceptions.

Despite being one of the oldest quarterbacks in football, and the oldest should Aaron Rodgers retire, Flacco seems intent on playing a 19th NFL season. Given his age and backup status, his pool of teams could be shallow and if the quarterback-needy Steelers call him, he’ll consider the possibility.

“I play football because I love it,” Flacco told the podcast. “It is a job of mine. Somebody’s hiring me. That’s a pretty big deal. But at the same time, I love playing football. And if people are going to give me the opportunity to do that, then yeah, you can’t necessarily let your personal feelings on an organization just from an outsider get in the way of a professional decision.”

Though there’s plenty of history between Flacco and the Steelers, there’s also mutual respect that might make a pairing more palatable. Given the lack of free agent and draft options, Flacco might be in more demand than anyone thinks. His last NFL stop could complete the AFC North circle.