By Robert Marvi

Copyright newsweek

In his 18th season in the NFL, quarterback Joe Flacco isn’t quite what he used to be. But he still has some value to offer as a game manager and a leader on the gridiron.

That is presumably why the Cincinnati Bengals, who recently lost Joe Burrow to a foot injury for possibly the entire season, traded for Flacco by sending a fifth-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns. He will now start ahead of Joe Browning, who was under center for their last three games.

Flacco is 40 years of age, which, even in this day and age, is considered ancient for a pro athlete. But he still has the desire to play and perform well in the NFL, as evidenced by his response to a reporter’s question about why he continues to play in the league.

“I feel like I have a lot to offer to a football team,” Flacco said. “I’ve put in a lot of work my whole life to get to this point, just in terms of playing in the NFL in general. I hopefully will have a long life when I’m done, but you only get a chance to play in the NFL once.

“I feel like I’ve worked really hard to be a guy that gets to play in the NFL, and I don’t want to take that for granted. I still feel like I can play the game at a high level, and I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror when I’m 50 years old and say that I gave it everything I had.”

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While Flacco has never been named to the Pro Bowl, he does own a Super Bowl championship ring after leading the Baltimore Ravens to the world championship as their starting QB during the 2012 season. He then led a ragtag Cleveland Browns crew to the playoffs two years ago, even after they lost star running back Nick Chubb and QB1 Deshaun Watson to season-ending injuries.

Now, he will be tasked with getting a talented but slumping Bengals team back on track.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 14: Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on at Ford Field on September 28, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Cincinnati has lost three games in a row since Burrow got hurt. It still has talent at the skill positions, and superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is still at the top of his game. He had caught 32 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns, and he has gotten decent support from WR2 Tee Higgins.

But the Bengals’ defense has faltered, as it ranks 30th in points allowed and total yards allowed. That is despite the production of outstanding edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who has four sacks, eight quarterback hits and three tackles for loss so far this year.

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They will face a big test this Sunday, as they will face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field before returning home to host Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers just four days later.

In four games this season, Flacco has completed 58.1% of his pass attempts and thrown for 815 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions. In eight games last year with the Indianapolis Colts, he had 1,761 passing yards, 12 touchdown passes and seven interceptions.

For more on the Bengals and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.