Flacco Unfazed by Burrow’s Return as Bengals Face Critical Stretch
In a candid response to Joe Burrow’s return to practice, Cincinnati Bengals backup quarterback Joe Flacco made it clear that he’s focused solely on the present moment. “I’m honestly not really thinking about it. It’s not really a part of my process. I really don’t care,” Flacco told The Cincinnati Enquirer when asked about Burrow’s return to the practice field. The star quarterback’s Monday practice session opened a 21-day window for his potential return to the lineup after suffering a toe injury in September. Rather than dwelling on what this might mean for his starting role, Flacco emphasized his commitment to the immediate task at hand: “It’s this week, and that’s all that matters. And I think to think about that stuff would just be a distraction.”
The veteran quarterback’s journey this season has been remarkable. After struggling significantly with the Cleveland Browns earlier this year—where he completed just 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards with two touchdowns against six interceptions before being benched for Dillon Gabriel—Flacco has found new life in Cincinnati. Since joining the Bengals and stepping in after Jake Browning’s difficulties, Flacco has transformed into one of the league’s more efficient passers. In four starts with Cincinnati, he’s completed 64.7% of his passes for 1,254 yards with an impressive 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions, demonstrating the kind of resilience that has defined his 16-year NFL career.
Despite Flacco’s individual success since taking over the Bengals’ offense, the team’s overall results tell a different story. Cincinnati has managed just one win in his four starts, sitting at a disappointing 3-6 record that places them in a precarious position for playoff contention. The primary culprit has been a struggling defense that has failed to complement Flacco’s offensive production. This imbalance has created an urgent situation where the Bengals need to string together wins immediately to salvage their season, beginning with Sunday’s pivotal divisional matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4), a game that could either reignite their postseason hopes or effectively end them.
Flacco’s approach to the quarterback situation reflects the mindset of a seasoned NFL veteran who has seen every scenario during his lengthy career. Having won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens and experienced both starting and backup roles across multiple franchises, Flacco understands the cyclical nature of quarterback dynamics. “I don’t know, I think backups probably do it a good amount where they know like, ‘Hey, this guy’s coming back, he’s got a three-week injury or whatever it is,'” he noted, suggesting that anticipating the return of an injured starter is a common experience for backup quarterbacks. Yet his personal philosophy runs counter to this tendency—he remains steadfastly committed to the immediate challenge, avoiding any mental energy spent on circumstances outside his control.
The quarterback situation in Cincinnati represents a fascinating case study in NFL team dynamics. On one hand, Burrow is unquestionably the franchise cornerstone—a former first overall pick who led the team to a Super Bowl appearance and signed a massive contract extension. His return to practice signals the organization’s hope that he might salvage something from this season. On the other hand, Flacco’s unexpected renaissance has provided a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing year, giving the Bengals competent quarterback play during Burrow’s absence. This creates an
