Quick Read
- Joe Flacco, 40, was named to his first career Pro Bowl roster as a replacement for the AFC team.
- The veteran quarterback will join the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, in San Francisco.
- Flacco played 13 games with 10 starts in the 2025 season, splitting time between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.
- With the Bengals, he ranked second in completions and tied for third in touchdown passes from Week 6 to Week 12.
- He previously won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens but had never made a Pro Bowl selection before this season.
CINCINNATI (Azat TV) – Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, at 40 years old, has achieved a significant late-career milestone, being named to his first-ever Pro Bowl roster as a replacement for the AFC team ahead of the 2026 Pro Bowl Games. The announcement, made on Friday, January 30, 2026, marks an unexpected turn for the 18-year NFL veteran, who previously led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory but had never received a Pro Bowl nod during his distinguished career.
Flacco’s inclusion comes after a season split between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals, where he demonstrated a resurgence in performance, particularly during his tenure with Cincinnati. His selection as a replacement adds a unique chapter to his career, highlighting both his enduring talent and the unpredictable nature of NFL roster dynamics.
Flacco’s Unexpected Pro Bowl Call-Up
Joe Flacco’s journey to his first Pro Bowl is notable for its timing and circumstances. Despite winning Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens and being recognized for his deep-passing prowess, Flacco never earned a Pro Bowl selection during his 11 seasons in Baltimore. This absence was often attributed to playing in a highly competitive AFC era alongside legendary quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger.
His current selection, at an age where many quarterbacks have retired, is largely a result of other AFC quarterbacks becoming unavailable for the event. Flacco joins Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders as replacement quarterbacks for the AFC roster, creating a unique pairing of a long-tenured veteran and a rising star, both of whom started the 2025 season with the Browns.
A Resurgent 2025 Season for Joe Flacco
The 2025 NFL season saw Joe Flacco play in 13 total games, making 10 starts. He began the season with the Cleveland Browns, starting four games, before being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals on October 7. With the Bengals, Flacco started six contests from Week 6 through Week 12, showcasing impressive statistics during that stretch.
During his time as the Bengals’ starting quarterback, Flacco ranked second in the NFL in completions (154), tied for third in touchdown passes (13), and was fifth in passing yards (1,636). His standout performances included a career-high 470 passing yards in Week 9 against Chicago and a 342-yard, three-touchdown outing in the team’s Week 7 victory over Pittsburgh, according to Bengals.com. Overall for the season, Flacco completed 251 of 416 passes for 2,479 yards, with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Pro Bowl Games and Bengals Representation
The 2026 Pro Bowl Games are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 3, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, and will be televised live on ESPN. Flacco’s inclusion marks him as the seventh quarterback in Cincinnati Bengals history to be named a Pro Bowler. He joins wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who were also selected from the Bengals roster for the 2025 season, further cementing Cincinnati’s representation at the prestigious event.
Flacco’s belated Pro Bowl selection serves as a testament to the enduring nature of professional football careers and the value of perseverance. While his initial career peak with the Ravens didn’t yield individual Pro Bowl honors, this recognition late in his journey, driven by a strong performance stretch, offers a unique validation of his capabilities and career longevity.