Could Joe Flacco return to Cincinnati in 2026? Bengals OC wants veteran back

The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2025 season didn’t go as many in the organization planned, but there were a few bright spots that came out of an otherwise down season.Perhaps tops among those was the play of quarterback Joe Flacco, who started six games after the Bengals acquired him in the aftermath of Joe Burrow’s injury.Less than a week after Flacco was traded to the Bengals on Oct. 7, he took over starting duties from Jake Browning.Cincinnati went 1-5 in games started by Flacco but few could blame the veteran signal caller for the team’s struggles. Flacco completed 61.7 percent of his passes, tossed 13 touchdowns and had four interceptions.Now, the 41-year-old Flacco is a free agent again, and all indications are that the veteran will play at least one more season of football.Will that come with the Bengals? It’s hard to say, but offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher emphasized that the Bengals would like to see him return as Burrow’s backup in 2026.“We would love to have Joe Flacco back,” Pitcher said on Wednesday.It’s possible the Bengals will take their time in searching for a backup to Burrow this offseason, with veterans such as Jimmy Garoppolo, Marcus Mariota, Gardner Minshew and Tyler Huntley among the free agents expected to be available.

CINCINNATI —

The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2025 season didn’t go as many in the organization planned, but there were a few bright spots that came out of an otherwise down season.

Perhaps tops among those was the play of quarterback Joe Flacco, who started six games after the Bengals acquired him in the aftermath of Joe Burrow’s injury.

Less than a week after Flacco was traded to the Bengals on Oct. 7, he took over starting duties from Jake Browning.

Cincinnati went 1-5 in games started by Flacco but few could blame the veteran signal caller for the team’s struggles. Flacco completed 61.7 percent of his passes, tossed 13 touchdowns and had four interceptions.

Now, the 41-year-old Flacco is a free agent again, and all indications are that the veteran will play at least one more season of football.

Will that come with the Bengals? It’s hard to say, but offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher emphasized that the Bengals would like to see him return as Burrow’s backup in 2026.

“We would love to have Joe Flacco back,” Pitcher said on Wednesday.

It’s possible the Bengals will take their time in searching for a backup to Burrow this offseason, with veterans such as Jimmy Garoppolo, Marcus Mariota, Gardner Minshew and Tyler Huntley among the free agents expected to be available.