ESPN says Bengals are best fit for Joe Flacco

After drafting Joe Burrow and cutting Andy Dalton, the Bengals’ quarterback room has a combined two seasons of NFL experience.

Between Burrow, Ryan Finley, and Jake Dolegala, the Bengals are rostering a rookie and two second-year players. Finley is the only one with playing time in the pros.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says that the Bengals could help their young quarterbacks develop by adding a veteran to the team.

Former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco is still on the market, and some NFL analysts at ESPN discussed where his best landing spot might be. Fowler suggested the Bengals.

“Cincinnati could use a veteran to help guide rookie Joe Burrow,” said Fowler, “and who better to do so than a former Super Bowl winner who understands the nuances of the AFC North? Flacco can help win games if called upon but isn’t a threat to a young player at this stage in his career, assuming he’s healthy by the time the season begins.”

Flacco does have plenty of experience in the AFC North, and at age 35 would add a veteran presence to the Bengals.

However, the Bengals have already said that they are satisfied with their current set of quarterbacks, so they won’t pursue an expensive free agent.

The most realistic scenario is that the Bengals add Flacco before training camp, but put him on the PUP list. That way, they won’t have to activate him or pay some bonuses unless they need him.

It depends on how much money he asks for. Around the league, most teams obviously don’t view him as a starter or he would have signed somewhere by now. His price tag might be low enough to pull this off.

But this is not likely, so don’t expect an AFC North reunion for Flacco any time soon.