Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco will be 41 years old by the time the 2026 NFL season rolls around, but Flacco isn’t yet ready to call it a career, and he hopes that his productive play as a member of the Bengals this season has shown other teams that he can still be a starting-caliber signal-caller. It’s certainly given him confidence that he can continue to play at a high level at this later stage of his career.
"Hopefully it reinforces it in somebody's mind that I can do it," Flacco said, via ESPN. "I do still want to do it. I still feel like I can do it. This obviously does help with the confidence of being able to do it and all that stuff. … I would like an opportunity, but you just never know."
Joe Flacco wants to continue his NFL career next season
Flacco has started five games for the Bengals this season in Joe Burrow’s absence, and he has posted some solid statistics in the process. Over those five games Flacco threw for 1,453 yards, 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also completed over 63 percent of his passes.
The Bengals have gone just 1-4 with Flacco as a starter, but their inability to get stops defensively is a major factor in that underwhelming record. Flacco played well enough to win a couple more of those games.
With Burrow nearing a return to game action for the Bengals, Flacco’s days as the starter in Cincinnati could soon be over, but he remains focused on his own preparation.
"It's in your head a little bit to a certain extent," Flacco said of Burrow’s return. "But I really am not that concerned with it. I think as long as I just keep my head down and keep preparing the way I am and then kind of act oblivious to it, then that'll be the best for me."
Given the way he’s played this season, you have to think that another team would give Flacco a shot next season, as a backup at least. It’s a role that he’s become very accustomed to, and comfortable with, over the past few years. Perhaps the Bengals couple even opt to bring him back as some Burrow insurance. He’s certainly looked better this season than Jake Browning.
It remains to be seen exactly what the future holds for Flacco, but it’s clear that he can still be a serviceable QB in the league, he just needs the opportunity.