Bengals' Joe Flacco, 40, hopes to be starting quarterback for any team next season

Danny Parkins, Willie Colon and Coach Eric Mangini react to Joe Burrow’s return to practice and his message that the AFC North is still wide open as the Cincinnati Bengals sit at 3-6.

With Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow's return from injury seemingly imminent, Joe Flacco knows his days as a starting quarterback in the NFL may be coming to a close. 

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 was a full participant for Wednesday and Thursday's practices, signaling what could be Flacco's final start with Cincinnati.  

"It's in your head a little bit to a certain extent," Flacco said of the possibility Sunday could be his last scheduled start with the Bengals, according to ESPN.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco warms up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh Nov. 16, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)

"But I really am not that concerned with it. I think as long as I just keep my head down and keep preparing the way I am and then kind of act oblivious to it, then that'll be the best for me."

The Super Bowl champion quarterback said his solid run with the Bengals reinforced his belief he can be a starter for a team. 

"Hopefully it reinforces it in somebody's mind that I can do it," Flacco said. "I do still want to do it. I still feel like I can do it. This obviously does help with the confidence of being able to do it and all that stuff.

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Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Flacco sits on the bench before