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With the return of Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow from an injury seemingly imminent, Joe Flacco knows his days as a starting quarterback in the NFL may be coming to an end.
Flacco, 40, was acquired by the Bengals from the Cleveland Browns after backup quarterback Jake Browning struggled in his three starts this season. Despite Flacco’s success, Burrow participated fully in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, marking what could be Flacco’s last start with Cincinnati.
“It’s kind of in your head to a certain extent,” Flacco said of the possibility of Sunday being his last scheduled start with the Bengals, according to ESPN.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 16, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Image Images)
“But I’m not really that worried about it. I think as long as I keep my head down and continue to prepare the way I am and then act oblivious to it, then that’s going to be the best thing for me.”
The Super Bowl champion quarterback said his strong career with the Bengals reinforced his belief that he can still go out and play as a starter on a team.
“I hope this reinforces in someone’s mind that I can do it,” Flacco said. “I still want to do it. I still feel like I can do it. This obviously helps with the confidence of being able to do it and all that.”
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Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Flacco sits on the bench before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Matt Ludtke/AP Photo)
“I’d like to have a chance, but you never know.”
Flacco started four games for the Browns before being benched for rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. In those four games, he completed just 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards with two touchdowns and six interceptions.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 2, 2025. (Katie Stratman/Image Images)
With the Bengals, the 40-year-old completed 63.4% of his passes for 1,453 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Bengals fell to 3-7 after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers and face long odds to make the playoffs, and they need to heat up down the stretch to have a chance to make the playoffs.
Their next game is key against the New England Patriots (9-2) on Sunday at 1 pm ET.
