Six NFL franchises are staring down serious quarterback problems in Week 3, and that kind of chaos always sparks wild rumors. When New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart went down with a knee injury, the immediate buzz was all about Joe Flacco. Would the Cincinnati Bengals really part ways with their seasoned No. 2?
Flacco Called the Giants Rumors “Not True”
The talk about Flacco heading to New York got so loud, even his buddies were texting him, “hey, I’ll see you in New York.” But Flacco, a former Jet for three years, wasn’t having it. He set the record straight to The Cincinnati Enquirer late Thursday: “It’s obviously not real and not true.” He literally told his friends, “no, guys, you won’t, that’s not true.” Apparently, the whole thing just gives him “a kick out of it” because he hasn’t “given it too much thought at this point.”
It’s easy to see why the Giants, now starting Jameis Winston after Dart’s injury, might be desperate. Winston struggled in Monday night’s 28-6 beatdown by the Los Angeles Rams, completing just 11-of-27 passes for 111 yards and tossing an interception. You gotta wonder if he’s the guy to turn things around for them.
Why Cincinnati Isn’t Letting Go of Their Veteran Anchor
So, why is it “not true”? Simple: the Bengals know what they’ve got. It’s super unlikely they’d let Flacco walk, much like the San Francisco 49ers are keeping their No. 2 Mac Jones despite all the QB injuries around the league. Flacco is a proven veteran behind Joe Burrow, and that’s not something you just give away. He signed a one-year free agent deal back in March for $9 million in total incentives, specifically as an emergency depth chart option.
This isn’t just some random backup, either. Flacco is coming off his first Pro Bowl nod and earned serious respect last season. He filled in for Burrow over nine games, putting up 1,664 yards passing, 13 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. Bengals coach Zac Taylor was “floored” by Flacco’s poise and knowledge when he started a game against the Green Bay Packers just five days after being traded for last season. Taylor called it “impressive” during training camp this summer, adding, “That’s a big reason we brought him back.” Investing in the 41-year-old signal caller for 2026 was a “no-brainer” for the Bengals.
Unbeaten and Untouched: The Bengals’ 2026 Trajectory
Given Joe Burrow’s injury history, having Flacco waiting in the wings makes Cincinnati feel pretty darn good about their decision. This team isn’t messing around right now. The Bengals are currently first in the AFC North, the division’s only unbeaten squad, rocking a 2-0 record.
They’re taking that perfect start on the road this weekend, facing the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. on Sunday inside Acrisure Stadium on CBS. Keeping that perfect record means keeping their momentum, and with Flacco firmly planted in Cincinnati, their depth at quarterback is definitely something to feel good about heading into a tough division matchup.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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