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With Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow’s return from injury seemingly imminent, Joe Flacco knows his days as a starting quarterback in the NFL could be coming to an end.
Flacco, 40, was acquired by the Bengals from the Cleveland Browns after backup quarterback Jake Browning struggled in his three starts this season. Despite Flacco’s success, Burrow was a full participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday, signaling what could be Flacco’s final start with Cincinnati.
“It’s kind of in your head, to a certain extent,” Flacco said of the possibility that Sunday could be his last scheduled start with the Bengals, according to ESPN.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 16, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
“But it really doesn’t really worry me that much. I think as long as I keep my head down and continue to prepare like I am and kind of act without realizing it, then it’ll be best for me.”
The Super Bowl champion quarterback said his strong run with the Bengals has reinforced his belief that he can still play as a starter for a team.
“I hope this reinforces in someone’s mind that I can do this,” Flacco said. “I still want to do it. I still feel like I can do it. That obviously helps with the confidence of being able to do it and everything else.”
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Joe Flacco of the Cincinnati Bengals sits on the bench before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 12, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Matt Ludtke/AP Photo)
“I would love to have an opportunity, but you never know.”
Flacco started four games for the Browns before being benched for rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. In those four games, he completed just 58.1 percent of his passes for 815 yards with two touchdowns and six interceptions.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium on November 2, 2025. (Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)
With the Bengals, the 40-year-old completed 63.4% of his passes for 1,453 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Bengals fell to 3-7 after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers and face a strong chance to make the playoffs, and need to heat up down the stretch to give themselves a chance to make the playoffs.
Their next game will be a key game against the New England Patriots (9-2), Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
