The Cincinnati Bengals had their worst year since 2020 as they finished the 2025 season with a 6-11 record. The team failed to meet expectations and missed out on the postseason for the third consecutive season.

Despite a Week 1 victory, things quickly unraveled for the Bengals this year, as Joe Burrow suffered a turf-toe injury during their Week 2 win. Burrow returned in Week 13 for the Bengals, but with Cincinnati having a 3-8 record, they were firmly outside the AFC playoff picture.

The team struggled to replace Burrow’s production as they went 1-8 without him. In their first three games without Burrow, the Bengals offense, led by backup quarterback Jake Browning averaged 12.3 points per game.

That mark would have ranked the worst in the NFL. As a result of their struggles, the team traded for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who had been recently benched by the Browns in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Following the trade, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin criticized the Browns for the move as he said, “It doesn’t make sense to me,” as Cleveland was helping a division rival in a position of need. Flacco quickly proved Tomlin right.

Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Shares Feelings on Zac Taylor

Despite being acquired during the season, Flacco acclimated quickly to Cincinnati and was named the team’s starting quarterback in Burrow’s absence. He gave the Bengals some much-needed life and energy in the season, as Cincinnati averaged 27.1 points per game in his six starts.

That mark would have resulted in Cincinnati having the seventh-best scoring offense in the NFL. Unfortunately for the Bengals, their defense was among the worst units in the league and they went 1-5 during Flacco’s starts.

For Flacco, however, the experience with the Bengals was a positive one. Following the season Flacco gave some of his Bengals teammates signed jerseys with a personalized message. He was then asked about his relationship with head coach Zac Taylor. He said, “My experience with him has been unbelievable.

I feel so lucky to have had that happen. I think he’s awesome at what he does. This is a hard business and there’s a lot of times when it doesn’t go the way you want it to. I mean honestly, for 31 teams it goes the way you don’t want it to. I know this is more disappointing than that, but he’s really good at what he does. Guys have a lot of respect for him, no doubt about it.”

Joe Flacco’s Future

Unfortunately for Bengals fans, NBC 5 Sports Director Charlie Clifford cast doubt on Flacco returning to Cincinnati, as he said, “A Cincinnati return in 2026 is unlikely.” Despite the 41-year-old quarterback stating he did not intend to retire following the season, he will likely seek a starting opportunity.

His 91 passer rating proved Flacco can still be a capable starting quarterback for a team that might be looking for a one-year bridge quarterback. 

If Flacco is unable to find a starting job elsewhere, a return to Cincinnati does seem plausible as it appears the quarterback developed positive relationships in his brief time with the Bengals.