Should Joe Flacco Return Next Season — Or Is It Time to Retire?
Posted January 21, 2026×
The NFL’s grizzled veterans sometimes linger longer than expected, and Joe Flacco is a prime example. At 40 years old, the former Super Bowl MVP is still drawing attention from teams around the league, even as younger quarterbacks rise. And as the 2026 offseason approaches, Bengals Nation and football fans alike are asking: Should Flacco return for another season — or hang up his cleats?
Flacco’s 2025 campaign was a winding journey. After beginning the year as a starter with the Cleveland Browns, he was traded mid-season to the Cincinnati Bengals in one of the more surprising moves of the year. The Bengals acquired the veteran signal-caller for a future draft pick, giving Flacco a chance to lead a team battling injuries and inconsistency.
Throughout the season, Flacco displayed flashes of the seasoned leadership that made him a valuable starter earlier in his career. He helped stabilize offenses, provided a calm locker room presence, and even led the Bengals to a dramatic victory over the Steelers in mid-season. Yet as star quarterback Joe Burrow returned from injury and resumed the starting job, Flacco shifted into a backup role — a position he has historically resisted.
Off the field, Flacco has also been candid about the challenges of professional football at this stage of his life. Time away from his family during the long season has given him a new perspective on the sacrifices the job demands.
With fewer starting opportunities available and a crowded quarterback market looming in 2026, the question of retirement is real. Yet there are reasons to think Flacco isn’t ready to walk away. A fictional quote from a recent hypothetical team announcement captures his mindset:
“I’ve been in this league long enough to know when to walk away — but I also know I still have more to give. If there’s a team that truly believes I can help them win, I want that chance before I say goodbye to this game.” — Joe Flacco (fictional paraphrase)
Whether Flacco finds that fit remains to be seen. At this stage of his career, the role may need to be redefined: perhaps as a mentor, a reliable backup, or a bridge starter for a rebuilding franchise. Fans and analysts will be watching free agency closely.
