Joe Flacco makes retirement decision as $180m Super Bowl MVP reveals No. 1 priority in new role

Joe Flacco is planning to run it back in 2026.

The 40-year-old began the current season as the Cleveland Browns‘ No. 1 quarterback, but was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals after losing his job to Dillon Gabriel.

Getty

With Joe Burrow sidelined through injury, Flacco went 1-5 with some highlight-reel moments throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Burrow’s return has put Flacco back on the bench, but he is not ready to bring a distinguished career to a close just yet.

Wherever his destination, he wants to make sure it gives him a good shot at getting on the field.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said, via Charlie Goldsmith of the Associated Press. “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 is unlikely to land a starting gig in a free agent class that also includes Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers, unless the veteran decides to retire.

But the Super Bowl XLVII champion and MVP could land a job as a bridge option for a team looking to draft a young passer.

The main issue could be his reluctance to act as a mentor.

“I tend to try to be honest, and I’ve said, ‘I’m not a mentor. I play football,” he said during his Browns stint.

“In a quarterback room, there’s a lot of times — there’s been already a ton of times — where there’s learning experiences. I have a lot of experience, and I can talk on things, and hopefully they listen.

Getty

Getty

“But it’s not necessarily my job to make sure they listen to me.”

Flacco’s views have not changed down the years — a similar quote emerged in 2019 when he was expected to hand the reins to Denver Broncos rookie Drew Lock.

“Listen, I have so many things to worry about. I’m trying to go out there and play good football. I’m trying to go out there and play the best football of my life,” he said at the time.

“As far as a time constraint and all of that stuff, I’m not worried about developing guys or any of that.

“That is what it is. I hope he does it well. I don’t look at that as my job. My job is to go win football games for this football team.”

Joe Flacco’s NFL career

Flacco was taken 18th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2008 draft — becoming the highest ever drafted player from the University of Delaware.

He immediately became the starter after incumbent Kyler Boller suffered a season-ending injury and was named Rookie of the Year.

His team made the playoffs five straight seasons to start his career, culminating in a Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

NFL's Greatest......

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

Flacco threw for three touchdowns in a 34-31 triumph.

He was rewarded with a six-year contract worth $120 million, which made him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL at the time and contributed a large chunk of an estimated $180 million in career earnings.

Lamar Jackson took the job as a rookie in 2018 and Flacco has been a journeyman ever since.

Having failed to repeat a sensational spell with the Browns from 2023 in the current season, Flacco’s prospects took a hit.

But he proved in Cincinnati that there is still some magic left and in an era where Tom Brady and Philip Rivers played well into their 40s, don’t rule out the seasoned vet.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for news, exclusive interviews and more.