Joe Flacco blasts ‘dumb’ NFL teams after free agency snub and sends out ‘unfinished business’ warning

Joe Flacco is back with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Set to enter his 19th NFL season in 2026, the 41-year-old quarterback penned a one-year, $6 million deal to return to the Ohio outfit.

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In his introductory press conference on Wednesday morning, Flacco – whose contract is reported to be worth up to $9 million in incentives – was all smiles.

“When you feel wanted, it definitely gives you a good feeling and makes it a little bit easier to make that decision,” Flacco said to reporters.

“I really enjoyed being around this staff. So, you know, just in talking with those guys definitely made it feel good for me. Sometimes veterans will kind of wait it out, avoid the grind of camp and all that.”

But the veteran also made sure to fire some brutal shots toward the 31 other teams in the league for snubbing him as a potential starting QB for the 2026 season.

“Believe me, I wish I was a guy somewhere,” Flacco added, via ESPN’s Ben Baby. “And I think teams are dumb for not having me be that guy.”

“Not being one of those guys to go sign somewhere, yeah, it p***** me off a little bit. But at the same time, I’m very happy to be here.”

Admitting it gave him a little bit extra motivation going into the upcoming season, Falcco added. “I know enough not to get super tied up emotionally with certain things and how to think about how they might play out because you really have no idea. …

“I think I can get caught up in all of that and say, ‘Why not me?’ and all that and be bitter about it. Maybe part of that does still motivate me to do what I’m doing.

“I probably do feel that way. I feel like I have unfinished business. That’s part of why I’m still here and playing and doing all those things.”

Flacco cites Bengals ‘culture’ as reason for re-signing

Flacco has spent much of his NFL career competing in the AFC North, winning a Super Bowl MVP with the Baltimore Ravens during his 11 years with the juggernaut before two stints with the Browns.

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But it is the Bengals culture that really stood out to the quarterback and is just one factor that drew him back to the team.

“I think it was just a close knit group of guys. Anytime you’re in a locker room like that, then it can hit you in a certain way,” Flacco said about the 2025 campaign with the Bengals.

“And that’s kind of how this past year was for me. I was probably in the headspace to be able to kind of accept that a little bit just because of how crazy last year kind of was for me.

“So just start to open yourself up to certain things. And I think it just happened to be great timing and a great group of guys to kind of resonate with me and make me feel good about the situation.”

Flacco was an important part of the Bengals offense in 2025 after Joe Burrow went down and missed 10 weeks with a turf toe injury.

Acquired in a mid-season trade from AFC North rivals Cleveland Browns, the veteran signal caller made nine appearances for Cincinnati, and completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,664 yards and 13 touchdowns to just four interceptions.

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Although the Bengals went 1-5 in his six starts under center, Flacco did go on to earn his first Pro Bowl nod at the tender age of 40.

Flacco will ultimately serve as the backup to former No. 1 overall pick Burrow, but based on the 29-year-old’s chequered injury history, especially over the past few seasons, an opportunity could open up for him to assume the starting reins at some point during the 2026 campaign.

“I just enjoyed being here and felt like it was a good fit. Feel like I can help this team in any role possible. And just, you know, see what happens,” Flacco exclaimed.

One thing is for certain, though, this is by no means the end of his career, with the QB stating: “I don’t see this as the end.

“That’s just not how I’m viewing it in my mind. I feel like I can help a team win. And yeah, it may be in a different role here, but I do still think I can help this team win in that role.”

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