Joe Flacco, the gutty veteran who filled in for Joe Burrow last year with some of the most memorable moments in franchise history, relied on his gut to return to Paycor Stadium Wednesday as the NFL’s most accomplished backup quarterback.
“I love the building,” said Flacco before he inked the deal for his 19th NFL season. “I enjoyed being there, and I’m excited about being back with the fellas.”
Extending his record to the oldest Bengal ever at 41, it may not have been the way he drew it up. But Flacco, 14th on the all-time passing yards list and just 1,824 shy of 50,000, has excelled at finding the best options.
“I don’t know what Plan A was. It’s tough to kind of say exactly what that looked like, so you kind of just have to go with the flow a little bit,” said Flacco, who was looking to start but didn’t see the right fit in free agency. “I have good feelings there. The hardest thing for me is probably coming to grips with the fact that I might not play.
“I felt like I had to be careful with some certain decisions. I don’t want to be in another situation where I’m going and playing four games like I did last year in Cleveland. I was a little bit nervous about that for whatever reason, and kind of getting thrown under the bus. I think there was a time to be that guy, but I don’t know if I was willing to do that. It just felt right in the gut.”
It certainly hit Bengals coach Zac Taylor in a sweet spot. He has coveted Flacco ever since he strapped it up despite an injured throwing shoulder during his six starts for him last season. In the first two weeks of free agency, the Bengals kept Flacco figured into the equation.
“To a certain extent. I think you have to (use the gut to decide).” There are reasons you feel those things. I think when you do go with some of those feelings, you’re more likely to be happy with how things turn out, no matter what,” Flacco said. “As opposed to when you go against it, there’s a possibility of working out well. But if it doesn’t happen exactly as you maybe envision the best-case scenario, then you might be kicking yourself. Like saying, ‘You know what? I had a gut feeling, and I went against it.’ I think when you go with it, you have a way easier time living with certain things.”
