The Bengals and Flacco agreed to a one-year contract Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports

EDGE Analysis

Flacco kicked off last season as the Browns' No. 1 quarterback, completing 93 of 160 passes (58.1 percent) for 815 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions in four starts. Cleveland then dealt him to Cincinnati, where he proceeded to fill in for the injured Joe Burrow. In six more starts with his new team, Flacco racked up 1,636 yards and a 13:4 TD:INT on 61.6 percent passing. Once Burrow recovered from his turf toe injury, Flacco saw only spot action down the stretch of the 2025 campaign, a role he figures to fill again this season as long as the former remains healthy.

Flacco recently told the Ross Tucker Football Podcast that he wants to continue his NFL career and will target the best opportunities for playing time.

EDGE Analysis

In other words, Flacco won't be any hurry to re-sign with Cincinnati as Joe Burrow's backup, even though ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Bengals are interested in keeping the 41-year-old. If he can't find a chance to compete for a starting job, Flacco suggested that he may remain a free agent deep into the summer, waiting for injuries and/or benchings that open up job oppotunities.

Flacco completed 251 of 416 passes for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions across 13 regular-season games, including 10 starts, during the 2025 season.

EDGE Analysis

Flacco opened the 2025 campaign as the Browns' Week 1 starter but led Cleveland to a 1-3 record and was benched following Week 4 after completing just 58.1 percent of his passes with a miserable 2:6 TD:INT. Flacco was then traded to the division-rival Bengals ahead of Week 6 after Joe Burrow suffered an early-season turf-toe injury. Flacco went on to make six starts for the Bengals and appeared in nine total games for Cincinnati, completing 61.7 percent of his throws with 13 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Flacco was actually fantasy's overall QB9 from Weeks 6 to 12 as the Bengals' starter. Now 41 years old, it's unclear if the free-agent-to-be is interested in continuing his playing career in 2026.

With Joe Burrow (toe) having been activated off IR, Flacco is in line to to work as the Bengals' No. 2 QB in Thursday's game against the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

After arriving via a trade with the Browns in October, the veteran QB drew six starts for the Bengals, who went 1-5 in that span. With Burrow back in the starting lineup, Flacco is worth rostering only by those in deeper fantasy leagues or by Burrow managers who have the flexibility/bench space to keep his backup on hand.

Flacco (shoulder/finger) was a full participant at the Bengals' practice Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Flacco was considered limited on Monday's estimated injury report due to shoulder and finger injuries, but he's now officially on track to be available for Thursday's matchup with the Ravens. With Joe Burrow (toe) likely set to make his return to action after a 10-game absence, Flacco will operate in a reserve role against Baltimore.

Flacco (shoulder/finger) was estimated as a limited participant on Monday's practice report, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Bengals didn't actually practice Monday but were required to post an injury report ahead of Thursday night's game against the Ravens. Flacco has been dealing with the shoulder issue for weeks and now has a finger injury. The big news for Cincinnati is Joe Burrow's (toe) estimation as a full participant, and he's expected to be under center on Thanksgiving night.

Flacco completed 19 of 37 passing for 183 yards and a touchdown with an interception in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Patriots. He added three yards on his lone carry.

EDGE Analysis

The 40-year-old quarterback was held in check most of the day by the New England defense, but Flacco did find Mitchell Tinsley for a 17-yard score with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter as the Bengals tried to mound a comeback. Flacco did leave the game briefly just prior to tossing the TD in order to to get checked out for a finger issue, but his health may not be a major concern for the Bengals in Week 13 if Joe Burrow (toe) is ready to return for a Thanksgiving clash with the Ravens. In six games for Cincinnati this season, Flacco compiled 1,636 passing yards with a 13:4 TD:INT.

Flacco is set to start Sunday against New England with the Bengals deciding to keep Joe Burrow (toe) on injured reserve for another game, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burrow was able to practice all week and thus had a chance to be activated from injured reserve. However, the Bengals have decided to give him four more days of rest, so Flacco will be under center against New England while Jake Browning serves as the backup. Flacco will be without Ja'Marr Chase (suspension) for Sunday's game, which makes Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki his top pass catchers, with Chase Brown also in the mix for targets out of the backfield. In the event that Burrow is activated ahead of Week 13 action, Flacco would be in line to head to the bench for Thursday's Thanksgiving game against Baltimore.

Flacco (right shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

Flacco was limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday, but a full session Friday paves the way for him to be available versus New England. However, whether he starts Sunday has yet to be determined, with the Week 12 status of Joe Burrow (toe) -- who is still on IR and listed as questionable after a limited practice Friday -- yet to be determined, per Ben Baby of ESPN.com. With that in mind, coach Zac Taylor said, "We'll take the time we've got, assess all the practice we've had this week," while adding that "(Burrow's) done everything he can to try to put himself and get ready to go. Now I have to make a decision on what we do." Either way, added context regarding Cincinnati's QB situation will arrive no later than Saturday afternoon, which is the deadline for the team to activate Burrow off IR this week.

Flacco (right shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Flacco also was limited Wednesday, but at this stage there's no reason to think he'll be unavailable Sunday against the Patriots. However, with Joe Burrow (toe) having logged his second straight full practice, while taking snaps with the first-team offense in the process, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, it's uncertain if Flacco will continue as the Bengals' starting QB this weekend, with that assignment (or lack thereof) hinging on whether Burrow is deemed fit for his first game action since Week 2.