What Happened to Joseph Vincent Flacco?
Joe Flacco is an American professional football quarterback, best known for his 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, where he led the team to a Super Bowl XLVII victory and earned MVP honors. After stints with several other NFL teams, Flacco experienced a remarkable resurgence in late 2023, winning the AP Comeback Player of the Year award with the Cleveland Browns, and continued his career into the 2025 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. As of March 24, 2026, he has signed a one-year deal to remain with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Quick Answer
Joe Flacco, the Super Bowl XLVII MVP, has continued his NFL career into his 19th season. After a notable Comeback Player of the Year performance with the Cleveland Browns in 2023, he played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2024. In 2025, he returned to the Browns before being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he made six starts and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. As of March 24, 2026, Flacco, at 41 years old, signed a one-year deal to remain with the Cincinnati Bengals, serving as a backup quarterback to Joe Burrow.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Audubon, New Jersey
Joseph Vincent Flacco was born in Audubon, New Jersey.
Drafted by Baltimore Ravens
Joe Flacco was selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Delaware.
Named NFL Rookie of the Year
In his debut season, Flacco made an immediate impact, starting all 16 games and leading the Ravens to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance, earning him the NFL Rookie of the Year award.
Wins Super Bowl XLVII MVP
Flacco led the Baltimore Ravens to a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, completing 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, earning him the Super Bowl MVP award.
Signs Record Contract with Ravens
Following his Super Bowl MVP performance, Flacco signed a six-year contract worth $120.6 million, which was a record high for a quarterback at the time.
Traded to Denver Broncos
After 11 seasons with the Ravens and losing his starting position to Lamar Jackson, Flacco was traded to the Denver Broncos.
Plays for New York Jets
Flacco spent three seasons with the New York Jets, primarily serving as a backup quarterback and making occasional starts.
Signs with Cleveland Browns
After being unsigned at the start of the 2023 season, Flacco joined the Cleveland Browns' practice squad following Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury.
Wins AP Comeback Player of the Year
Flacco capped off his unexpected 2023 season with the Browns by being named the AP Comeback Player of the Year, leading the team to a playoff berth.
Plays for Indianapolis Colts
Flacco signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts for the 2024 NFL season.
Traded to Cincinnati Bengals
After starting the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns, Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for a fifth-round pick after Joe Burrow suffered an injury.
Selected to First Pro Bowl
Despite the Bengals' 1-5 record with him as a starter, Flacco's individual performance in 2025, including 1,664 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine appearances for Cincinnati, earned him his first Pro Bowl selection as a replacement.
Signs One-Year Deal with Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Flacco, at 41 years old, agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal (with incentives up to $9 million) to remain with the Cincinnati Bengals as a backup quarterback for his 19th NFL season.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Joseph 'Joe' Flacco's NFL journey began in 2008 when he was drafted 18th overall by the Baltimore Ravens, quickly establishing himself as a durable and consistent starting quarterback. He led the Ravens to the playoffs in his first five seasons, a feat unmatched by any other quarterback in league history at the time. The pinnacle of his tenure came in the 2012 season, culminating in a Super Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers, where Flacco's stellar postseason performance earned him the Super Bowl MVP award. He tied Joe Montana's record for 11 touchdown passes without an interception in a single postseason.
Following his Super Bowl success, Flacco signed a then-record six-year, $120.6 million contract. However, his performance saw a gradual decline, compounded by injuries, leading to him losing his starting role to Lamar Jackson midway through the 2018 season. This marked a significant turning point, leading to his trade to the Denver Broncos in 2019. Subsequent stints with the New York Jets (2020-2022) saw him primarily serve as a backup, with occasional starts.
The 2023 season brought an unexpected and remarkable resurgence. After not being on an NFL roster at the start of the season, Flacco was signed by the Cleveland Browns in November following a season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson. He quickly revitalized the team, leading them to a 4-1 record as a starter and securing a playoff berth. His performance, which included throwing for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in five regular-season games, earned him the AP Comeback Player of the Year award.
In 2024, Flacco signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. The 2025 season saw him return to the Cleveland Browns, initially as a starter, but he was benched after a 1-3 start. In early October 2025, he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for a fifth-round pick after Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury. Flacco stepped in admirably, making six starts for the Bengals and appearing in nine total games, completing 61.7% of his passes for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions. His strong play led to his first-ever Pro Bowl selection as a replacement at the end of the 2025 season.
As of March 24, 2026, Joe Flacco, at 41 years old, has agreed to a one-year deal worth $6 million, potentially up to $9 million with incentives, to remain with the Cincinnati Bengals. He will serve as the backup to Joe Burrow, continuing his professional career for a 19th NFL season. Flacco has openly expressed his desire to continue playing and potentially compete for a starting role, but his return to Cincinnati solidifies his immediate future in the league.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Joseph Vincent Flacco made different choices?