QB Joe Flacco appreciative of his chance to play for the Bengals

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback against the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the Bengals’ backup against the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

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“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quickly once they start. But the way this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer at Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the last 17 weeks, he has seen improvement in the Bengals’ defense. Now, he views the Bengals’ defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the race,” Flacco said. “We’re putting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you.”

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While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said he has developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he draws up game plans. Plus, he’s willing to allow collaboration. That’s a strength. His game-day decisions are also something he does very well.”

Burrow took over when he returned at Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup for the past month.

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Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he weighs his options, he hopes to find another chance to play and start.

“It’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m someone who wants to play football. You have to evaluate and see everything that’s in front of you. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said he would be open to returning to the Bengals, but he will consider several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I’m not hoping to do anything. I have an idea of ​​what maybe some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl