(Video) Joe Flacco Goes on a Rant About How Football Was Tougher 15 Years Ago

Joe Flacco wants football players have the freedom to make fierce tackles like they used to back when he had just entered the NFL.

(Video) Joe Flacco Goes on a Rant About How Football Was Tougher 15 Years Ago

Joe Flacco (Image via IMAGO)

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Joe Flacco may have shared the field with quarterbacks nearly half his age – like Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, Drake Maye, and JJ McCarthy – but deep down, he’s rooted in an era when football felt fiercer. He finds the current iteration of the NFL a lot more family-friendly.

When he first came into the league, referees overlooked soft penalty calls, and defenders were allowed to make hard tackles. Sure, a deep pass from the quarterback to his receiver always looks cool, but a game is won and lost in the trenches.

Over time, especially following COVID-19, the NFL has implemented several rule changes that have frustrated Flacco. He acknowledges the dangers of CTE, but still believes players should have more freedom to deliver hard-hitting tackles.

I kind of came in as (the league’s officiating) was transitioning. So I still have that mindset. I don’t think it should be roughing the passer when they land on us.

Joe Flacco told ESPN’s Kevin Clark on Wednesday

Flacco, a Super Bowl winner with the Ravens, received his first-ever Pro Bowl nod for his performances in the 2025-26 season. He began the season as Cleveland’s starting quarterback before the Browns traded him to the Bengals. In Cincinnati, the 41-year-old played until Joe Burrow was healthy enough to return to the starting roster. Flacco played a total of 13 games, threw for 2479 yards on 251 completions (60.3%), scored 15 touchdowns, and conceded 10 interceptions.

Joe Flacco is not a fan of the roughing the passer penalties

Flacco took shots from legendary players during his early years in Baltimore. That said, it’s not a knock on the defenders of the present era. They can be just as fierce, having grown up idolizing legends like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Darrelle Revis, and many others.

(Video) Joe Flacco Goes on a Rant About How Football Was Tougher 15 Years Ago
Joe Flacco (Image via IMAGO)

The rules and regulations restrict the present crop of defenders from going after the offense. The quarterback, in particular, is the most protected player on the field.

I don’t think being slapped in the head should be roughing the passer. It honestly annoys me because it affects games in a negative way. And they can call it or not call it. It needs to get out of the game.

Flacco stated

The last bit of Flacco’s monologue can only be described as an indirect message to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

It’s football, we signed up to play it. I don’t like it. We signed up to get concussions, we signed up to get hurt… It is what it is.

Flacco said

He’s one of the last remnants of a bygone era, what many still consider true football. Nowadays, fans call the NFL the “No Fun League” for the very reasons Flacco finds it annoying. Looking back, he echoed the feelings of fans who love seeing players get their hands dirty out on the gridiron.

It’s unlikely that the NFL reintroduces the same doggedness into the game to satisfy individuals like Flacco. That should be the least of his worries, as he’s currently without a team, and given his age, Flacco would be better off in New York with his family. But, he’s not finished. He may have slowed down, but the proud Blue Hen has plans to continue as long as he can.

I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.

Flacco said (HT/Associated Press)

Meanwhile, Super Bowl LX is scheduled for February 8, featuring the Patriots and the Seahawks, two teams Flacco has never played for.

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