Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Joe Flacco Announces Retirement Decision After 18 Seasons

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Jan 5, 2026 1:28 PM ET

Joe Flacco’s 2025 season, his 18th in the NFL, marked a late-career chapter split between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. After playing four games for the Browns, Flacco was traded to the Bengals following a turf toe injury to star quarterback Joe Burrow.

The veteran quarterback assumed the starting role in Cincinnati, recording 200+ passing yards in four of his six starts, although the Bengals managed just one win in that span. One of the signature moments of Flacco’s season came in Week 7, when he outdueled the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers in a “Thursday Night Football” thriller. In that game, Flacco completed 31 of 47 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns, leading a late drive that set up Evan McPherson’s game‑winning field goal in a 33-31 Cincinnati victory.

Combined with his time in Cleveland earlier in the year, Flacco finished the season with 2,479 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, compiling an overall 79.2 passer rating.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16).Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Despite his contributions, however, the Bengals failed to make the playoffs, closing the year with a 6-11 record. With the season concluded, retirement speculation has followed Flacco into the offseason, given his age — he turns 41 on Jan. 16 — and the length of his NFL career.

Flacco, however, addressed those rumors directly on Monday, making it clear that stepping away is not in his immediate plans.

“I don’t really think about those things,” Flacco said. “I’m just being myself. I love being in the locker room. I love being part of the group, guys like this in general. And I’ve had a lot of fun here the last couple months. ... I’m trying to be the best I can at what I do. And however things shake out from here, they do. But I’ve had a lot of fun.”

Joe Flacco said he's not considering retirement and is hopeful he can be a little more selective when looking at his next shot.

Here's 90 seconds with Flacco on if the amount of love he's received here has been different than previous stops and his relationship with Burrow. pic.twitter.com/VrlXhhOYJp
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) January 5, 2026

Flacco’s NFL career is among the longest of his generation. He has 48,176 career passing yards and 272 touchdown passes, ranking him 14th and 21st all-time in those categories, respectively, in 209 games. His crowning achievement remains the Super Bowl XLVII victory with the Baltimore Ravens, where he threw three touchdown passes and was named Super Bowl MVP with a 124.2 passer rating. Beyond statistics, Flacco has long been respected as a locker room leader and mentor, earning admiration from teammates and fans.

In Cincinnati, Flacco quickly became a fan favorite for his professionalism. However, with Burrow reclaiming the starting role, it remains uncertain whether the Bengals will retain him as a backup for another season. Nevertheless, his desire to continue playing and passion for the game leave open the possibility of a 19th NFL season, either with the Bengals or elsewhere, should the right opportunity arise.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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