Why Joe Flacco is 'Pissed Off' at the NFL

The Joe Flacco debate is as alive as ever! As of March 2026, he is officially returning to the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year deal worth up to $9 million. He will return to the NFL. 

But in a March 25 interview, he mentioned that it ‘pissed him off a little bit’ that no team signed him to be their undisputed QB1 this year. He even went as far as to say he thinks teams are ‘dumb’ for not giving him that shot.

This is why he was angry, but does he have a point?

Pros and Cons of an Angry Joe Flacco

The Case for Teams Being Dumb Not to Start Him

Flacco could still start in terms of arm talent and experience. But the NFL landscape has shifted him into the ultimate ‘insurance policy’ role. But here are some things that journalists and fans should know.

The stats from his 2025 season back up the idea that Flacco still has gas in the tank. He threw for a career high 470 yards in a wild game against the Chicago Bears in November 2025. This was the most by any quarterback in a single game all season.

At the age of 41, he was selected for his first-ever Pro Bowl Games. In just six starts for the Bengals last season (filling in for the injured Joe Burrow), Flacco threw for 1,664 yards and 13 touchdowns, proof that he is still deadly at the position.

Flacco is currently the highest-paid backup quarterback in the NFL. He’s staying in Cincinnati because he loves the building and knows that if Burrow’s health falters again, he is in the best position to lead a Super Bowl-caliber roster.

Why the NFL and Front Offices Hesitate to Start Him

While his arm is still a cannon, NFL general managers usually look at a few things when passing on a quarterback who is 40 or higher.

• Mobility: In an era of dual-threat quarterbacks, Flacco is a statue in the pocket. If the Bengals’ offensive line isn’t elite, Flacco will be sitting on the turf plenty of times.
• Sustainability: While he played well in 2025, Flacco’s record as a starter was 1-5 for Cincinnati (mostly because the defense struggled and Burrow was hurt). Teams often prefer a younger project with ‘upside’ over a veteran quarterback who might have one season left.
• Turnover risk: Flacco had ten interceptions across his time with the Cleveland Browns and Bengals last season. This shows that his aggressive ‘let it rip’ style still comes with many risks.

Reflection

While Joe Flacco may not be the ‘QB1’ on the depth chart like he claims he could be, he is still sensational. He may still hold the title of the best backup in the world right now. Any team could use this if their starter gets hurt or remains inconsistent.