Quarterback Joe Flacco has found some success this season with the Cincinnati Bengals. With Joe Burrow back at practice, Flacco understands that his time as QB1 will come to an end.
Joe Flacco Talks Return of Joe Burrow
Since we meandered onto the topic, I asked Joe Flacco if he thought about retiring after this season when he was benched by the Browns.
Short answer: Yes. Bu the long answer is 100% worth the listen. pic.twitter.com/K5J2ZMJXTm
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) November 12, 2025
Earlier this week, Burrow returned to practice for the first time in two months. Burrow suffered a turf toe injury that required surgery.
Burrow remains on injured reserve, but his practice window has been activated, meaning he has to return within 21 days.
Burrow won’t play for the Bengals this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he will eventually return to the starting lineup, and Flacco will head to the bench.
How does Flacco feel about his impending demotion to backup status?
“I don’t know, I think backups probably do it a good amount where they know like, ‘Hey, this guy’s coming back, he’s got a three-week injury or whatever it is,'” Flacco said via The Cincinnati Enquirer.”I’m honestly not really thinking about it. It’s not really a part of my process. I really don’t care. It’s this week, and that’s all that matters. And I think to think about that stuff would just be a distraction. So it’s not really something I’m worried about. Like I said, I’m just worried about doing my job, and this week that’s going out and playing against Pittsburgh.”
Flacco has done an admirable job filling in for Burrow. Since being traded from the Cleveland Browns midseason, Flacco is 1-2 as the Bengals’ starter.
Flacco memorably threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns in Week 7’s 33-31 win over the Steelers.
How has the collaboration between Flacco and Burrow been?
“Listen, I think you can probably make too much about that honestly,” Flacco said. “I mean, listen, we’re just two quarterbacks sitting in a room, and it’s not like we’re doing anything groundbreaking in there. We’re two quarterbacks in a room just like any other two quarterbacks for the most part.”
Flacco added, “He’s [Burrow] been great to have in the room just because he’s been operating in this offense and actually been out there doing it for however many years now. So it’s always nice to be able to see”
Bengals in Danger of Losing Season
Building toward Sunday.
Presented by @IEL_LLC pic.twitter.com/nA6hgwepzo
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 13, 2025
By the time Burrow comes back, the Bengals might be out of playoff contention.
Cincinnati is third in the AFC North at 3-6. In the AFC, that is good enough for 11th place, four spots outside of the final playoff spot.
The Bengals’ game against the Steelers on Sunday is essentially a must-win. Lose on Sunday, and Burrow’s eventual return might be for nothing of meaning.
