Chicago Bears set to face former Super Bowl winning quarterback in Week 9

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Eric Root | Last updated Oct 31, 2025 5:53 PM ET

As the Chicago Bears finish preparing for a very important Week 9 matchup, it looks like Ben Johnson and the team knows who will be the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

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It seems clear that Joe Flacco will indeed be starting for the Bengals on Sunday. The Bengals quarterback has been dealing with a shoulder injury and missed a couple of practices but returned to practice on Thursday.

The Chicago Bears will face Joe Flacco on Sunday

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Cincinnati traded for the former Cleveland Browns quarterback to replace backup Jake Browning who struggled badly. Starting quarterback Joe Burrow is still out with turf toe and is expected to return to the Bengals in December.

Via Bengals beat writer Jay Morrison on X, Flacco said his return to practice went well and should be good to go for Sunday’s game against the Bears.

Flacco: “I feel good.”
He said Thursday’s practice went well and should be good for Sunday,

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) October 31, 2025

This will be a much tougher test for the Bears than last week’s loss against the Ravens. Flacco might be near the tail end of his NFL career, but he’s still a former Super Bowl Champion and can make the big plays when needed.

The bigger challenge for Dennis Allen and the Bears’ defense is the amount of weapons that the Bengals have on offense. Star wide receivers Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins are near impossible to cover. Cincinnati also has a great running back in Chase Brown.

Thankfully for the secondary, Tyrique Stevenson will return for Sunday’s game and newly signed defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson should be go for the Bears as well. The secondary needs to step up in a huge way in order for the Bears to improve to 5-3.

NFL: Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Chicago Bears helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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