Depending on whether Aaron Rodgers returns for another year, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be looking for another veteran bridge quarterback. ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler thinks longtime division rival Joe Flacco could be an option.
"Flacco will have options, possibly as a bridge quarterback elsewhere. The Vikings considered signing Flacco last offseason. And the Steelers will have an opening if Aaron Rodgers doesn't re-sign there. Pittsburgh liked his free agency profile last offseason, too," Fowler wrote.
Flacco, 41, is a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals . Flacco started against the Steelers twice last season with Cincinnati, winning the Week 7 contest and losing in Week 11.
Flacco has a 12-12 all-time record against the Steelers in his 18-year NFL career.
Most of those came while Flacco spent 11 seasons as the starting quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens from 2008-18. Since losing his job to future NFL MVP Lamar Jackson , Flacco has become a bit of NFL vagabond.
He was with the Denver Broncos in 2019, the New York Jets from 2020-22, had an NFL Comeback Player of the Year run in 2023, leading the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs after Deshaun Watson was injured, and then to the Colts in 2024.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco passes against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
If Flacco joins the Steelers, he would have played for every team in the AFC North.
Fowler also noted that Rodgers coming back seems very realistic.
"Speaking of Rodgers, he has emerged from the 2025 season refreshed. One source I spoke to said Rodgers is in a much better place coming out of his year with the Steelers compared with his previous two years with the Jets," Fowler said. "He greatly valued his experience in Pittsburgh, and teammates raved about him, both publicly and in exit meetings with the team. The Steelers have been open to a Rodgers return since early in the season, and I don't sense that has changed. The Steelers' combination of head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio makes the transition seamless."
With Mike McCarthy back and filling his staff with former Packers coaches, it sure seems like Rodgers could make one last run in 2026. But you never know with Rodgers, that's why Flacco could be a solid fallback option until the Steelers draft their franchise quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Insider Tabs AFC North Foe as Quarterback Option for Steelers
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