Bengals' Joe Flacco says teams 'dumb' for not signing him to start - ESPN

CINCINNATI — Joe Flacco isn't mad about re-signing with the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year deal. But if it were up to him, he'd be competing for a starting job elsewhere in the NFL.

After being traded to the Bengals last season to replace an injured Joe Burrow, he had one of the most productive stretches of his career. But teams ultimately opted to not sign him to compete for a starting role. And he isn't shy about voicing his belief that teams made a mistake by passing on him.

«Believe me, I wish I was a guy somewhere,» Flacco, 41, said Wednesday. «And I think teams are dumb for not having me be that guy.»

Added Flacco: «Not being one of those guys to go sign somewhere, yeah, it pisses me off a little bit. But at the same time, I'm very happy to be here.»

Sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday that Flacco's contract is for $6 million but could be worth up to $9 million with incentives.

Last season, the Bengals acquired Flacco via trade to replace Jake Browning as the interim starter following Burrow's turf toe injury. Flacco started six games and completed 61.7% of his passes for 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.

When Burrow returned for the team's Week 13 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco reverted to becoming the team's backup quarterback. When his 18th season ended and Flacco was set to become a free agent, he was vocal about wanting to have a chance to start somewhere in the coming season.

But the quarterback carousel spun this offseason without him finding a favorable pathway on a depth chart. It didn't help that notable names such as Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa were available as free agents and landed with teams that needed potential starters.

Flacco wasn't caught off guard, however.

«I know