41-Year-Old QB Joe Flacco Says Teams Are 'Dumb' for Not Signing Him
Joe Flacco will be one of the NFL's oldest active players in 2026, as the 41-year-old prepares for his 19th season with the Cincinnati Bengals. He signed with Cincinnati in the offseason after being traded there in 2025 and taking over for an injured Joe Burrow.
The Bengals expect Burrow to enter the 2026 campaign with a clean bill of health, which means that Flacco is likely to enter the season as a backup. Despite his age, the former Super Bowl MVP believes he has more to offer - and that the rest of the league is misguided for not sharing that same belief.
"Believe me, I wish I was a guy somewhere," Flacco said on Wednesday per ESPN, reflecting on what his role is likely to be in year two with the Bengals.
The Bengals have re-signed Pro Bowl QB Joe Flacco to a one-year contract, per @JFowlerESPN
— PFF (@PFF) March 24, 2026
No QB had more passing yards in a single game in 2025 than Flacco (470 vs Chicago) ???? pic.twitter.com/g96eI03ZAs
"And I think teams are dumb for not having me be that guy. Not being one of those guys to go sign somewhere [as a starter], yeah, it pisses me off a little bit. But at the same time, I'm very happy to be here."
Flacco's Play Earned Accolades, Consideration
The Bengals traded for Flacco after Burrow's injury and Jake Browning's struggles as the team's backup. He started six games for Cincinnati last season, completing over 61% of his passes and throwing 13 touchdowns to only four interceptions.
Flacco even made the Pro Bowl - albeit, as an alternate for the unable-to-participate Josh Allen - for the first time in his career, adding another accolade to what's been an impressive tenure in the NFL.
Flacco has entered the chat.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 30, 2026
????: https://t.co/EI0FmnqS01 pic.twitter.com/ilvznZXa1D
Flacco was selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, and spent the first decade of his career with the team. He helped lead Baltimore to its second Super Bowl title with a historic playoff run that culminated in an MVP award.
After the Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson in 2018, the journeyman phase of Flacco's career began. He spent time with the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns - twice for each of the last two destinations.
Flacco would help lead the Browns to the postseason in 2023, his first stint with the team. He won the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award that season after being signed in late November and leading the playoff push.
After his success with the Bengals last season, Flacco made it clear that he wanted to sign for a potential opportunity to start. A lucrative quarterback market with names like Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa up for grabs stopped that from happening, but Flacco is adamant that he has more to give.
Flacco Reflects on Offseason, Role with Bengals
"I know enough not to get super tied up emotionally with certain things and how to think about how they might play out because you really have no idea. And who knows what those teams were thinking anyway, whether I was on their radar or not. I have no idea," Flacco said about how the offseason played out.
"It's not really for me to decide. I think I can get caught up in all of that and say, 'Why not me?' and all that and be bitter about it. Maybe part of that does still motivate me to do what I'm doing," he added.
"I probably do feel that way. I feel like I have unfinished business. That's part of why I'm still here and playing and doing all those things...I feel like I can help a team win. And yeah, it may be in a different role here, but I do still think I can help this team win in that role."