ESPN insider reveals Bengals interest in re-signing Pro Bowl QB Joe Flacco

The Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of work to do this offseason to get this team back to the playoffs. After a rough 2025 season, the Bengals need to address their defense in a major way.

But the offensive side of the ball cannot be neglected. Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase, and Chase Brown make for a strong core, but the offense could use better protection and depth, especially at the quarterback position.

Joe Flacco is a free agent, and the decision whether to bring him back or not is not an easy one. But, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals have some serious interest in re-signing Flacco to a new deal to back up Burrow next season.

Bengals' interest in Joe Flacco revealed by ESPN insider

"The Bengals have expressed interest in re-signing quarterback Joe Flacco," Fowler writes. "They believe he's a valuable backup who can be a viable starting option if Joe Burrow gets injured again."

Cincinnati's front office wants to bring Flacco back for the 2026 season as a backup for Burrow. It's not a bad decision for multiple reasons.

The first is that Burrow, unfortunately, has dealt with a litany of injuries in his NFL career. While he's been a great starter when healthy, his injury history makes the Bengals backup quarterback spot one of the more important in the league.

The other big reason why a Flacco contract would be a smart idea from the Bengals is that their current backup, Jake Browning, struggled in a major way last season in his chance as a starter after Burrow went down.

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His struggles were so bad that the Bengals made a rare mid-season trade for a starting quarterback. Flacco came in and was an instant success.

While he only won one game, the passing production for the Bengals during his starts was great, and much better than what Browning put up for the Bengals.

Upgrading from Browning, who had six touchdowns to eight interceptions during his three starts, is a must this offseason. His struggles were a major red flag, and not something the Bengals can be okay with entering the 2026 season.

Burrow's injury history and Browning's struggles have made it clear that a Flacco extension is a big issue this offseason for the Bengals.

While he's going to have interest from other teams, a reunion with the Bengals is going to be on the table for Flacco this offseason, as the Bengals are interested in re-signing the 41-year-old QB this offseason.

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