Bengals finalizing deal to bring Joe Flacco back to Cincinnati

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is on the verge of staying in Cincinnati.On Tuesday, sources told WLWT the contract is expected to be worth $6 million for one year, with incentives that could take the contract to $9 million.Flacco’s 2025 season was a tumultuous one, with the veteran starting the season as the Cleveland Browns’ starter, before he was benched for rookie Dillon Gabriel and then traded to the Cincinnati Bengals weeks after Joe Burrow went down with an 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.Including his four games with the Browns, Flacco finished the 2025 season with 15 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 2,479 passing yards.Flacco was named to the Pro Bowl roster as a replacement, joining wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in Las Vegas.Earlier this year, Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher emphasized the organization’s desire to bring Flacco back into the fold.

CINCINNATI —

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is on the verge of staying in Cincinnati.

On Tuesday, sources told WLWT the contract is expected to be worth $6 million for one year, with incentives that could take the contract to $9 million.

Flacco’s 2025 season was a tumultuous one, with the veteran starting the season as the Cleveland Browns’ starter, before he was benched for rookie Dillon Gabriel and then traded to the Cincinnati Bengals weeks after Joe Burrow went down with an 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.

Including his four games with the Browns, Flacco finished the 2025 season with 15 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 2,479 passing yards.

Flacco was named to the Pro Bowl roster as a replacement, joining wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in Las Vegas.

Earlier this year, Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher emphasized the organization’s desire to bring Flacco back into the fold.