Joe Flacco Returns for Season 19

Joe Flacco is making a comeback for his 19th season. The 41-year-old quarterback has signed a one-year deal with the Bengals worth $6 million, which could increase to $9 million with performance incentives. This news was shared by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday.

Flacco joined the Bengals halfway through the 2025 season, showcasing his skills in nine games where he completed 158 passes for a total of 1,664 yards and 13 touchdowns. He started six of those games after transferring from Cleveland but eventually lost his starting position to rookie Dillon Gabriel.

During that time, Flacco had the honor of being selected for the Pro Bowl, serving as a roster replacement, and was among three Bengals players who went to Las Vegas for the event, alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. He played a crucial role in helping the Bengals’ offense rack up impressive scores, with games of 33, 38, and 42 points from October to early November.

After the season ended, Flacco hinted at a desire to return. In a conversation with the Cincinnati Enquirer, he expressed, “Yes, I thought about it. But not in a significant way, because it’s hard to really see what’s going to happen. You have to sit back and see to a certain extent. I mean, I want to play, but I think there are probably situations that are good for me and situations that are not good for me. I have to sit down and think about it for a while.”

Reflecting on his time in Cincinnati, Flacco noted, “When I came back here, I saw the world. Who knows what it is? But yeah, listen, I love it here.”

In his journey, Flacco has played for six teams, including the Ravens, Broncos, Jets, Browns, and Colts before landing with the Bengals.