Ben BabyMar 25, 2026, 11:17 AM ETCloseBen Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).Follow on XMultiple Authors
Flacco has 1-year deal with Cincy for 19th season (1:06)Flacco has 1-year deal with Cincy for 19th season (1:06)
“Believe me, I wish I was a guy somewhere,” Flacco, 41, said Wednesday. “And I think teams are dumb for not having me be that guy.”
Added Flacco: “Not being one of those guys to go sign somewhere, yeah, it pisses me off a little bit. But at the same time, I’m very happy to be here.”
Sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday that Flacco’s contract is for $6 million but could be worth up to $9 million with incentives.
Last season, the Bengals acquired Flacco via trade to replace Jake Browning as the interim starter following Burrow’s turf toe injury. Flacco started six games and completed 61.7% of his passes for 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
But the quarterback carousel spun this offseason without him finding a favorable pathway on a depth chart. It didn’t help that notable names such as Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa were available as free agents and landed with teams that needed potential starters.
Flacco then reflected on that sentiment before realizing that perhaps there is some resentment that will fuel him as he prepares for the upcoming season.
“Maybe part of that does still motivate me to do what I’m doing,” Flacco said. “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.”
Along with veteran Josh Johnson, who will turn 40 in May, Flacco will be tasked with being in a reserve role behind Burrow. Flacco and Burrow each were late additions to last season’s Pro Bowl Games, marking the first official time Flacco received the designation.
Now that Flacco is signed with a team, his focus has shifted toward the 2026 season. And even though he’s a backup, he feels he can still work toward his mission of being a key contributor for a winning team.
“I don’t see this as the end,” Flacco said. “That’s just not how I’m viewing it in my mind. 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.”
Flacco has 1-year deal with Cincy for 19th season (1:06)Flacco has 1-year deal with Cincy for 19th season (1:06)
Ben BabyMar 25, 2026, 11:17 AM ETCloseBen Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).Follow on XMultiple Authors
CloseBen Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).Follow on X
Flacco has 1-year deal with Cincy for 19th season (1:06)