Joe Flacco Calls Teams “Dumb” For Not Showing Much Interest in Him in Free Agency

Joe Flacco was disappointed after realizing that he was not much in demand despite being available in free agncy.

Joe Flacco Calls Teams “Dumb” For Not Showing Much Interest in Him in Free Agency

Joe Flacco (Image via IMAGO/X)

Joe Flacco is back in familiar surroundings after re-signing with the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this week. While he’s perfectly content suiting up for the team that traded him midway through last year, the veteran quarterback expected more teams to show interest in him, even as a backup.

During his first media appearance on Wednesday, Flacco hinted at feeling disappointed to learn there wasn’t much of a market for him.

I think I can get all caught up in all that and say, ‘Why not me’ and be bitter about it. I probably do feel that way. Yeah, it [expletive] me off a little bit. But at the same time, I’m very happy to be here. I had a lot of fun with Joe, and Joe’s the guy. And believe me, I wish I was the guy somewhere, and I think teams are dumb for not having me be that guy.

Joe Flacco said via Jeremy Rauch of FOX19

Flacco still has not lost his touch. During his first spell in Cincinnati last year, he played the role of a substitute QB after Joe Burrow underwent surgery. Individually, Flacco made some cool plays. However, the Bengals struggled to finish teams off. One win from six appearances was all Flacco could muster. During those outings, he tossed 13 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. The Bengals benched him once Burrow had recovered enough to start again.

Sure, Flacco just turned 41, but more teams should have shown interest in him – especially the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals, who could really benefit from his experience. Judging by Flacco’s words, the Bengals were the only ones that reached out to him for a gig.

Joe Flacco discusses his role with the Bengals

Flacco began 2025 with the Cleveland Browns. He played four games, throwing two touchdowns and interceptions, before the Browns’ coaching team benched him for rookie Dillon Gabriel. Not long after, the Bengals traded Flacco and a sixth-round draft pick to the Browns in return for a fifth-round pick. Both the Browns and Bengals missed out on the playoffs.

Joe Flacco Calls Teams "Dumb" For Not Showing Much Interest in Him in Free Agency
Joe Flacco (Image via IMAGO)

Flacco has returned to Cincinnati to serve as a reliable backup for Burrow after his former No. 2, Jake Browning, left for Tampa Bay. The Super Bowl champ might have a regular day job, but he knows exactly what his role is on the team.

The hardest thing for me is probably coming to grips with the fact that I might not play. I felt like I had to be careful with some [of the] certain decisions. I don’t want to be in another situation where I’m going and playing four games like I did last year in Cleveland. I was a little [bit] nervous about that for whatever reason, and kind of getting thrown under the bus. I think there was a time to be that guy, but I don’t know if I was willing to do that. It just felt right in the gut.

Flacco said (HT/Bengals officials website)

Burrow is coming off a turf toe injury that allowed Flacco to start games in 2025. It’s very unlikely for Flacco to see gametime with Burrow heading for a full recovery just in time for offseason training camp.

Burrow started in eight games last year. He threw for 1809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. While facing the Jacksonville Jaguars, a second-quarter sack forced him out of the game. Later, doctors confirmed that he had suffered a metatarsophalangeal joint sprain and required surgery to fix the issue. After completing a three-month rehab, he returned to action to play the final few games and even received his third career Pro Bowl nod.

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