Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco addressed the media on November 12, focusing on the impending return of Joe Burrow to practice and its implications for his role as a backup. Flacco emphasized that he is not concerned about Burrow’s return, stating, “I don’t really care. It’s this week, and that’s all that matters.” He underscored the importance of staying focused on his own performance and preparing for the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When discussing his collaboration with Burrow, Flacco noted, “We’re just two quarterbacks sitting in a room,” and downplayed any notion of groundbreaking work taking place. He mentioned that being new to the Bengals’ offense means he is still in the phase of learning and understanding the operational dynamics, with both Burrow and fellow quarterback Jake Browning providing valuable insights. Flacco acknowledged the benefit of having Burrow’s experience in the offense, as he has been successfully implementing it for several years.
Although Flacco did not throw during Wednesday’s practice, he is expected to participate in throwing drills on Thursday ahead of the NFL Week 11 matchup against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Flacco previously played through a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder during a high-scoring encounter against the Chicago Bears in Week 9, where he made history as the oldest quarterback to throw for 470 yards in a single game.
Their upcoming game also marks a notable rivalry moment, being the first “Icy Hot Bowl” between Flacco and Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In their last encounter, Flacco had a standout performance, completing 31 of 47 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Bengals to a thrilling 33-31 victory. This matchup promises to be an exciting contest as both teams strive for victories in a competitive league.