{"id":750676,"date":"2026-02-14T03:24:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T03:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/750676\/"},"modified":"2026-02-14T03:24:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T03:24:14","slug":"qb-joe-flacco-named-free-agent-target-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/750676\/","title":{"rendered":"QB Joe Flacco named free agent target in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated Feb. 13, 2026, 8:16 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

Now that the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> have filled out the majority of their coaching staff, they can turn their attention to the 2026 NFL free agency period. The team has a few areas to address, including the quarterback and edge rusher positions.<\/p>\n

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons are expected to release quarterback Kirk Cousins<\/a> sometime before the start of free agency on March 11. The writing has been on the wall for Cousins ever since the team restructured his contract, but Atlanta will need to find a replacement at QB.<\/p>\n

Pro Football Focus<\/a> analyst Bradley Locker broke down the NFL teams that are in need of a quarterback and matched them with the best fits in free agency. PFF listed veteran Joe Flacco as the best fit for the Falcons in 2026.<\/p>\n

“Stefanski arrives in Atlanta needing to rejuvenate a talented offense that placed 18th in EPA per play last season,” wrote Locker<\/a>. “While Michael Penix Jr. is expected to start when healthy, his durability and performance leave the Falcons clamoring for a reliable backup. Even at age 41, Flacco was a solid spot starter for both the Browns and Bengals in 2025.”<\/p>\n

Flacco may have experience with Stefanski, but can he still play?<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

“The veteran played to a 67.1 PFF passing grade and a 3.6% big-time throw rate, and only 12.2% of his pressured dropbacks were converted into sacks,” added Locker. “If Cousins leaves Atlanta, Flacco would be a logical replacement as a mentor to Penix who could also be called off the bench if needed \u2014 or if the 2024 first-round pick isn\u2019t fully recovered from his torn ACL. Plus, Flacco\u2019s two-year stint with Stefanski in Cleveland is an added bonus.”<\/p>\n

Last season, Flacco passed for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>. And while it may not hold the weight it once did, Flacco earned his first ever Pro Bowl appearance in 2025.<\/p>\n

Flacco was one of the seven quarterbacks<\/a> we highlighted in our latest free agency feature. The fit makes sense because he wouldn’t be expected to start but could do so if needed. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees also has familiarity with Flacco from their time together in Cleveland.<\/p>\n

Free agency officially opens on March 11, but the NFL’s “legal tampering period” begins two days earlier on March 9. We’ll have to wait and see what this new Falcons regime has planned for 2026.<\/p>\n

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