Key keywords: Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Bengals Quarterback Depth, Joe Burrow Backup, NFL Roster Moves, AFC North, Super Bowl MVP Multiple league sources confirmed on Tuesday that the Cincinnati Bengals are in the final stages of closing a contract to bring veteran quarterback Joe Flacco back to the franchise for the 2024 NFL campaign, marking one of the most low-risk, high-reward moves of the team’s off-season so far. Flacco first joined the Bengals as an emergency free-agent signing midway through the 2023 season, after franchise cornerstone Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11 against divisional rival the Baltimore Ravens. The 39-year-old Super Bowl XLVII MVP adjusted to the Bengals’ offensive system almost immediately, appearing in 6 regular-season games, throwing for 1,616 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions, and leading the team to a 3-3 record in his starts to keep Cincinnati’s playoff hopes alive until the final week of the year. Sources with knowledge of the negotiations indicate the pending deal is a one-year contract with a base salary of $4.5 million, and performance-based incentives that could push the total value to as high as $10 million if Flacco meets specified playing time and team success benchmarks. The contract structure aligns with the Bengals’ dual priorities for the veteran QB: serving as a reliable backup for Burrow as he completes his recovery from off-season wrist surgery, and providing veteran leadership to the team’s quarterback room that also includes 27-year-old Jake Browning, who also earned starts for the Bengals in 2023. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor noted in a recent press availability that retaining Flacco was a top off-season priority for the franchise. “Joe walked into our building last year under incredibly high-pressure, short-notice circumstances and immediately earned the respect of every player, coach and front office member on this team,” Taylor shared. “We saw first-hand last year how critical quarterback depth is when you’re competing for championships, and bringing Joe back gives us a level of security at the position we didn’t have 12 months ago.” The signing comes as the Bengals continue to build out a roster targeted at securing the first Super Bowl title in franchise history, after reaching the AFC Championship Game in both 2021 and 2022. Flacco’s proven track record of performing in high-stakes playoff games will also serve as a key asset for the team if they make a deep post-season run, and the move solidifies the Bengals’ status as one of the clear favorites to win the AFC North in 2024.