Cincinnati Bengals
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Bengals head coach Zac Taylor revealed a plan to support Joe Burrow
The Cincinnati Bengals had a disappointing 2025 season, which was partly due to injuries. After missing the postseason for the third consecutive season, head coachZac Taylor said, “I think what you were missing was your highest paid player on offense and defense, and that’s challenging holistically.”
Quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in a Week 2 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He then missed the following nine games, in which the Bengals went 1-8. When Burrow started, the team went 5-3. While backup quarterback Joe Flacco, who was acquired in a midseason trade, did an admirable job as Burrow’s replacement, the offense was not at the same level as it had been with its franchise quarterback under center.
For that reason, head coach Zac Taylor has stated that the team plans on making a move at the quarterback position to be better prepared if Burrow suffers another injury.
Cincinnati Bengals Plan to Add Quarterback
Speaking at the NFL Combine, Zac Taylor said it is “fair to say” that the Bengals will be looking to add a quarterback in some capacity during the draft or free agency. After trading for Flacco during the 2025 season, the veteran will now be an unrestricted free agent, although one Bengals coach spoke about wanting him to return.
Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher saidregarding Joe Flacco, “We would love to have Joe Flacco back.” In nine games with the Bengals, Flacco posted a 91 passer rating as he threw for 1,664 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
NBC 5 Sports director Charlie Clifford wrote about the search for a backup quarterback. He posted on X, “As the Bengals hunt for QB 2 they will likely have to play the long game and see how the QB free agency market settles. Garoppolo, Mariota, Minshew & Huntley among the crop of available backups.”
Joe Flacco’s Experience in Cincinnati
One could make the argument that Flacco, despite his age, is the best of the available options for the backup position. Last season, he proved to be capable of handling the job, and he could improve having a full offseason with the team.
Additionally,Flacco spoke highly of Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. He said, My experience with him has been unbelievable. I feel so lucky to have had that happen. I think he’s awesome at what he does. This is a hard business and there’s a lot of times when it doesn’t go the way you want it to. I mean honestly, for 31 teams it goes the way you don’t want it to. I know this is more disappointing than that, but he’s really good at what he does. Guys have a lot of respect for him, no doubt about it.”
The Bengals have not been shy of wanting Flacco back.ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler had previously said,“The Bengals have expressed interest in re-signing quarterback Joe Flacco. They believe he’s a valuable backup who can be a viable starting option if Joe Burrow gets injured again. But Flacco will have options, possibly as a bridge quarterback elsewhere. The Vikings considered signing Flacco last offseason. And the Steelers will have an opening if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t re-sign there. Pittsburgh liked his free agency profile last offseason, too.”