Cincinnati is adding an elite quarterback to its roster infree agency.
Veteran gunslingerJoe Flaccowill be back for his 19th season in the NFL in 2026. He's returning to theBengalsafter signing a one-year contract worth up to $9 million in free agency, according to multiple reports.ESPN's Jeremy Fowlerwas the first to report the compensation.
Flacco, 41, was the fifth-oldest player in the NFL last year and second-oldest quarterback behind Steelers veteran Aaron Rodgers. He appeared in 13 games withtheCleveland BrownsandCincinnati Bengalsin 2025, starting 10 of them and postinga 2-8 record.
In Cincinnati, he'll join a quarterbacks room that already includesJoe BurrowandJosh Johnson.
Here's a closer look at Flacco's new contract and how he fits with the Bengals:
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WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)
Joe Flacco contract details
Here's a breakdown of Flacco's contract with the Bengals by the numbers:
Term: One year
Contract total value: $6 million, worth up to $9 million with incentives
Joe Flacco stats
Flacco is set to enter his 19th NFL season in 2026. Here's a look at his stats from his long career so far:
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Games (starts): 209 (201)
Record: 107-94
Completion rate: 4,417-of-7,167 (61.6%)
Passing yards: 48,176
Passing touchdowns: 272
Interceptions: 172
Passer rating: 84.1
Flacco was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2025, two years after he won Comeback Player of the Year for his five-game stint that helped lead theBrownsto the playoffs.
How Joe Flacco fits with the Bengals
Flacco will take over the backup quarterback job for the Bengals, sliding in as QB2 on the depth chart behind Burrow.
Cincinnatirecently inked a free agent deal with Johnson, but Flacco's return adds some more depth to a quarterback room that has experienced its fair share of injuries in recent years. Given potential durability concerns with Burrow, Flacco is a good insurance option that has been effective as a starter in recent seasons.
It hasn't always translated to wins, however.
Flacco is just 4-12 as a starter over the last two seasons, including a 1-5 record when he filled in for Burrow with the Bengals in 2025.
If nothing else, he provides a familiar face for Zac Taylor's team and one that can be trusted if they need a spot starter.
USA TODAY Sports' Nick Brinkerhoff contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Joe Flacco contract: Bengals, QB agree to one-year deal