Joe Flacco finds belonging in Bengals locker room after career uncertainty

Aman Sharma

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Joe Flacco finds belonging in Bengals locker room after career uncertainty image

For years, Joe Flacco was the quarterback Bengals fans loved to root against. On Thursday night, they were cheering his name.

In just his second start since being traded from the Browns, the 40-year-old veteran led Cincinnati to a 33-31 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, ending a four-game losing streak and reviving hope in the AFC North race.

Once seen as a rival from his long tenure in Baltimore, Flacco now finds himself embraced in Cincinnati, a city he once admitted he “never really loved coming to play.”

Flacco completed 31 of 47 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns, giving the Bengals offense new life without Joe Burrow, who watched from the sideline in a walking boot.

A new chapter for a familiar face

Ten days earlier, Flacco wasn’t sure if he’d ever get another moment like this.

“It felt like I might not, to be honest with you,” he said after Thursday’s win. “It’s pretty special.”

For Flacco, the turnaround feels personal.

“You’re in it. That’s what fans do,” he said. “They want their football team to win, and it just so happens that I’m the guy right now that’s behind the center.”

 

In two games with Cincinnati, Flacco has completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 561 yards and five touchdowns without a turnover. Nine days after the trade, he was leading “Let’s go Flacco” chants in Paycor Stadium, a moment he once thought he’d never experience again.

Flacco’s late-game poise showed why the Bengals were quick to trade for him. Down 31-30 after a 68-yard touchdown by Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth, Flacco led a composed final drive, hitting Tee Higgins for a 28-yard completion to set up Evan McPherson’s 36-yard game-winning field goal with seven seconds left.

The performance capped Flacco’s 23rd career matchup against the Steelers and gave Cincinnati (3-4) its first win since Burrow’s Week 2 turf toe injury. His chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins has come fast.

Chase broke a franchise record with 16 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown, marking his ninth career game over 150 yards, passing Jerry Rice for second most through five seasons.

Kicker Evan McPherson credited the veteran for uniting the locker room quickly.

“I love his attitude and what he brings to the team,” McPherson said. “He’s done a really good job connecting with guys on a really short notice.”

After 18 seasons, multiple cities, and more than two decades of battles, Joe Flacco finally found a home where he was once the enemy.

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Aman Sharma

Aman Sharma is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over two years of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, NFL and more. His stints at Sportskeeda, Pro Football Network and College Football Network captivated millions of readers.