Joe Flacco is never short on confidence, and the veteran quarterback made that abundantly clear this week as he voiced his frustration with NFL teams that chose not to sign him as a starting quarterback heading into the current season.
Flacco, who has returned to the Cincinnati Bengals as a backup to star quarterback Joe Burrow, believes those franchises made a significant error in judgment by overlooking him for a starting role. The former Super Bowl MVP was blunt in his assessment, describing the teams that passed on him as simply "dumb" for not taking the opportunity to bring him in as a starter.
The comments reflect the fierce competitive drive that has defined Flacco's lengthy NFL career. The 39-year-old signal-caller has spent nearly two decades in the league, winning Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens and earning MVP honors for his outstanding performance in that championship run. Despite his age, Flacco has demonstrated in recent seasons that he still possesses the arm talent and football intelligence to lead an NFL offense.
Flacco made headlines during the 2023 season when he stepped in for an injured Deshaun Watson with the Cleveland Browns and delivered an impressive stretch of performances, reigniting conversations about his ability to compete at a high level. That late-season surge appeared to reinforce his belief that he deserved a legitimate starting opportunity.
His return to Cincinnati places him in a familiar role as an experienced backup and mentor, a position several veteran quarterbacks have embraced late in their careers. Burrow, coming off his own injury concerns, benefits from having a seasoned presence behind him should anything go wrong during the season.
While Flacco's outspoken nature may raise some eyebrows around the league, his track record gives him credibility to back up his words. Whether or not NFL teams ultimately agree with his self-assessment, his determination to remain competitive and relevant in the league remains undeniable. For now, Flacco will bide his time in Cincinnati, ready to prove his point should the opportunity arise.
