Joe Flacco explains why he returned to Bengals for 19th season

Joe Flacco has been in the league long enough that he knows what he wants out of his career at this point. After potentially exploring many other backup positions around the league, Flacco re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals for another year.

What made Joe Flacco return to the Bengals?

During an interview with Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, it was not an extremely difficult decision to make.

"I love the building," said Flacco. "I enjoyed being there, and I'm excited about being back with the fellas."

The Bengals re-signed Flacco to a one-year contract that keeps him with the team for the 2026 season. Last season, the 41-year-old veteran saw time in nine games and started in six games for the Bengals. 

Flacco had some careful decisions he had to make

Flacco said he had to be careful with some decisions prior to re-signing with the Bengals.

"I felt like I had to be careful with some certain decisions. I don't want to be in another situation where I'm going and playing four games like I did last year in Cleveland. I was a little bit nervous about that for whatever reason, and kind of getting thrown under the bus. I think there was a time to be that guy, but I don't know if I was willing to do that. It just felt right in the gut."

After 19 seasons in the NFL, the veteran acknowledged that the players and coaching staff played a big part in his return to Cincinnati. 

"When you look at a backup position, it was a little bit of everything. Coaches, players, specifically receivers, but not just them," Flacco said. "I had such a good time with everybody on the team. Plus, Zac and Brad and Pitch. Those guys were all positive thoughts when I was thinking about going back. It's not just one thing, as always. It was the overall experience and the overall building."

Joe Flacco provides stability behind Joe Burrow

The simple conclusion is obvious. The Bengals are not bringing Flacco back for show, nor for fans reminiscing over past Super Bowl runs with the Baltimore Ravens. They brought Flacco back because he proved last season he can still operate effectively in a present-day offense, should he be asked to.

Even more so, Cincinnati likely trusts him. When you have a franchise quarterback like Joe Burrow, who has been in and out of the lineup multiple times in his career, that carries plenty of value. A Super Bowl-contending team does not need pure, unadulterated pandemonium if and when their backup quarterback is thrust onto the field and has the poise and comfort level on the field that Flacco does.

Flacco is a stable backup option who understands the offense, has earned respect from the players, and does not create drama for the team in any way. For a team striving to reach its ultimate goal, this is precisely the type of veteran backup it wants behind Burrow on game days.