(Video) Joe Flacco Gets Insane Reception After He Took Possibly the Last Snap of His NFL Career Against Browns

Joe Flacco's possible last involvement in an NFL game turned out to be a quarterback sneak on third down which he successfully converted before leaving the field with a smile.

(Video) Joe Flacco Gets Insane Reception After He Took Possibly the Last Snap of His NFL Career Against Browns

Joe Flacco receives massive cheer from the Bengals crowd (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Joe Flacco smiled as he positioned himself under center for a designed quarterback sneak, or colloquially known as the “tush push.” A solid way to possibly end his long NFL career.

Flacco sat on the bench for the Cincinnati Bengals‘ Week 18 fixture against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon. With two minutes left before the end of the first half, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor sent Flacco on 3rd & 10. Joe Burrow tapped him in before taking his place on the sidelines.

The six-foot-six athlete leaned in to bundle the ball over the first down marker to keep the drive alive for the Bengals. It wasn’t his first rodeo, but perhaps it may have been his last. Flacco didn’t look emotional. In fact, a big smile shone through Flacco’s face mask as he jogged back to the bench, surrounded by the loud cheers of fans.

Burrow didn’t let the veteran signal caller’s contribution go to waste. Four plays later, Tee Higgins caught a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch to make it a one-score game.

Joe Flacco jokes about his quarterback sneak

Flacco’s only involvement in the game was the QB sneak in the second quarter. Fans have seen Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen frequently use it to gain valuable yardage, but to see a 40-year-old go for it on third down was no short of an anomaly.

(Video) Joe Flacco Gets Insane Reception After He Took Possibly the Last Snap of His NFL Career Against Browns
Joe Flacco (Image via IMAGO)

Even players found it amusing. Cameras caught Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Shelby Harris having friendly banter with Flacco about the sneak.

They put in your old (expletive) head for a QB sneak?

Shelby Harris said via Kayler Smith of WDTN

Flacco seemed prepared for that question. He quickly replied, “We had a fake one this week, but we didn’t have that one! Next thing you know, I’m out there!”

This exchange clearly showed the amount of respect the Browns have for their former signal caller. Flacco began the year as QB1 for the Browns. However, he was replaced by rookie Dillon Gabriel after a 1-3 start and subsequently traded to the Bengals. Despite the circumstances of his departure, Flacco remained a fan favorite in Cleveland as he was the last QB to help the Browns reach the playoffs in 2023.

The Bengals needed an experienced head in the locker room after Burrow suffered a turf toe injury. Jake Browning failed to earn the coaching staff’s trust with abysmal performances, leaving the door open for Flacco to make his Bengals debut against the Green Bay Packers in week six.

Even though Flacco ran the Bengals offense more smoothly than Browning, he finished with a 1-5 record as a starter, with his only win coming against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. However, he was only there to back up Burrow, and once he completed his rehab, the Bengals elevated him to the active roster.

Burrow started the Week 16 fixture against the Miami Dolphins, and the Bengals ended their four-game losing streak with a 45-21 victory. A win over the Cardinals followed before they hosted the Browns in the final week of the campaign.

Unfortunately, the game ended in a 20-18 loss after Browns kicker Andre Szmyt converted a 49-yard field goal. The Bengals finished the 2025 NFL season with a 6-11 record and will pick tenth in the upcoming draft (could change).

As for Flacco, he has kept the door open for a return. Honestly, there’s no guarantee that any NFL team will make the call in the offseason. If so, Flacco finishes his 18-year-long career with 4417 completions (61.6%), 48,176 yards, 272 touchdowns, and 172 interceptions in 209 appearances.

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