CINCINNATI, OH (January 20, 2026) — In the high-stakes world of the NFL playoffs, fortunes can change in the snap of a finger. On Saturday night, amidst the freezing temperatures and the roar of the crowd, the Denver Broncos secured a thrilling 33-30 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills, punching their ticket to the AFC Championship Game. It was a triumph of grit and execution. However, as the confetti settled, the brutal reality of the sport emerged: victory came at a devastating cost.

Rookie sensation Bo Nix, the architect of Denver’s resurgence, suffered a fractured ankle during the contest. The team announced he will undergo surgery on Tuesday, officially ending his season. Suddenly, a team just two wins away from lifting the Lombardi Trophy finds itself turning to its backup, Jarrett Stidham, to lead them into the biggest game of the year against either the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans.

While the drama is unfolding in Denver, the ripple effects should be felt most acutely 1,200 miles away in the front office of the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury to Nix is not just a headline; it is a glaring, flashing neon warning sign. It exposes one of the Bengals’ most critical offseason needs and solidifies a singular truth: Re-signing veteran quarterback Joe Flacco must be a top priority.

The Lesson from Mile High

The situation in Denver perfectly illustrates the fragility of a Super Bowl run. One moment, you have your franchise quarterback; the next, he is gone. In the NFL, the “next man up” mentality is a cliché until it becomes a necessity.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton remained defiant and confident in the face of disaster. “He’s ready. He’s ready,” Payton told reporters regarding Stidham. “I’ve said this at the beginning of the season, I feel like I have a [No.] 2 [quarterback] that’s capable of starting for a handful of, a number of teams. I know he feels the same way. So watch out. Just watch.”

This confidence isn’t born out of blind hope; it was purchased with foresight. Last March, the Broncos signed Stidham to a two-year, $12 million contract. At the time, critics might have viewed it as an overpayment for a bench player. Today, it looks like the smartest insurance policy in the league. That contract wasn’t for the 17 games Bo Nix stayed healthy; it was for the one game he didn’t.

The Flacco Factor: Proven Insurance

This brings the conversation back to Cincinnati. The Bengals, led by the brilliant but occasionally injury-prone Joe Burrow, are in a perpetual “win-now” window. When you have a roster capable of winning a championship, you cannot allow a single injury—even to the most important player on the field—to derail the entire season.

Joe Flacco is the answer to that specific anxiety.

During his tenure, Flacco has proven to be more than just a clipboard holder. He is a Super Bowl MVP, a veteran who has seen every defensive scheme the NFL has to offer, and a player who, crucially, does not flinch in big moments. The “cool” in “Joe Cool” isn’t just a nickname; it’s a demeanor that resonates in a locker room when panic could otherwise set in.

If the Bengals were to find themselves in Denver’s shoes next January—hosting a playoff game with Joe Burrow sidelined—who do they want under center? A developmental rookie? A journeyman with no playoff pedigree? Or Joe Flacco, a man who has won on the road in January and knows exactly what it takes to hoist the trophy?

Head coach Zac Taylor and the offensive staff have already built a rapport with Flacco. The trust is there. The players believe in him. In a league where chemistry is often the difference between a punt and a touchdown, retaining a known commodity is invaluable.

The Blueprint for the Deal

The roadmap for keeping Flacco is clear, and the Broncos just provided the market value. The Bengals should not hesitate to offer Flacco a deal mirroring Stidham’s: a two-year contract in the range of $12 million.

It is a significant investment for a player you hope never sees the field. However, in the context of a $250 million salary cap, it is a justifiable expense for a legitimate contender. The deal could be structured with incentives—bonuses for games started, playoff wins, and passing milestones—that could sweeten the pot for Flacco while protecting the team’s cap space if Burrow remains healthy.

For Flacco, at this stage in his career, the opportunity to remain on a contender with a high-powered offense is attractive. For the Bengals, the peace of mind is priceless.

Win-Now Mode Requires Depth

The Bengals have made it clear: the goal is the Super Bowl. Not in three years, but next year. To operate in “win-now” mode means eliminating variables that lead to failure. You upgrade the offensive line to protect Burrow. You sign defensive playmakers to hold leads. And, as the Bo Nix injury painfully demonstrates, you secure a backup quarterback who can keep the ship afloat in a storm.

The Broncos may get crushed next week without their starter, or Stidham may become a hero. But the Bengals cannot leave their fate to chance. They have seen the warning.

As the offseason approaches, the Bengals’ to-do list will be long. But right near the top, penned in bold red ink, should be the name Joe Flacco. Because in the NFL playoffs, you are only as strong as the guy who steps in when the starter goes down. And Joe Flacco is the strongest insurance policy money can buy.