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Bengals expressed interest in re-signing Joe Flacco
The 2025 season was a disappointing one for the Cincinnati Bengals, as they missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season. At 6-11, the Bengals had their worst season since 2020, which was quarterback Joe Burrow’s rookie campaign.
The team entered the 2025 season with high expectations, as they finally re-signed wide receiver Tee Higgins and also reached an extension with All-Pro Ja’Marr Chase. Additionally, the team signed All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to a one-year deal. It seemed all the pieces were in place for Cincinnati to make a run, but that did not materialize.
Injuries played a role in their poor results as Hendrickson played in only seven games, while quarterback Joe Burrow played in only eight. However, the Bengals were able to replace some of Burrow’s production with the help of a veteran, who they are now interested in bringing back to the team.
Cincinnati Bengals Express Interest in Joe Flacco
Once Burrow got hurt in Week 2, the team’s offense struggled with backup Jake Browning. Cincinnati then made a rare trade with a division rival, as they acquired quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. With the Bengals, Flacco started six games, which was enough for him to make the Pro Bowl as he was able to keep the Bengals offense afloat.
Flacco is set to be a free agent after the season, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that Cincinnati is interested in bringing him back. He wrote, “The Bengals have expressed interest in re-signing quarterback Joe Flacco. They believe he’s a valuable backup who can be a viable starting option if Joe Burrow gets injured again. But Flacco will have options, possibly as a bridge quarterback elsewhere. The Vikings considered signing Flacco last offseason. And the Steelers will have an opening if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t re-sign there. Pittsburgh liked his free agency profile last offseason, too.”
Bengals fans will not want Flacco to go to the division rival Steelers, as Flacco became a fan favorite during the season. Flacco may want to return to Cincinnati if he does not land a starting job elsewhere. He seemed to enjoy his experience with head coach Zac Taylor, as he said, “My experience with him has been unbelievable. I feel so lucky to have had that happen. I think he’s awesome at what he does. This is a hard business and there’s a lot of times when it doesn’t go the way you want it to. I mean honestly, for 31 teams it goes the way you don’t want it to. I know this is more disappointing than that, but he’s really good at what he does. Guys have a lot of respect for him, no doubt about it.”
Bengals Upcoming Free Agency
Flacco is not the only free agent the Bengals are likely to go after. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport spoke about Burrow’s comments and the possibility of him being traded. Rapoport said, “I do not expect Joe Burrow to be traded. I do expect teams to call the Cincinnati Bengals after it appeared that Burrow expressed some discontent with Cincinnati late in the season. He is their franchise quarterback, not expected to go anywhere.”
Additionally, in a positive turn, Rapoport said that Burrow’s comments may lead the Bengals to be aggressive in free agency. He said, “I do expect the Bengals to take his words and kind of use it to spur them on a little bit to really spend this offseason. I expect the Bengals to enhance and support everything Joe Burrow does.”
The possible additions will likely come on the defensive side, as Cincinnati had the third-worst scoring defense in the NFL.
Jose Esquer Jose Esquer is a Mexican-American sportswriter and communications student based in San Diego, CA. His work spans football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has written for platforms like RotoWire and DolphinsTalk. You can find him on Twitter/X @JEsquer8, usually talking Dolphins, world football, or both. More about Jose Esquer
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