The Cincinnati Bengals had a tough 2025 season. While their offense was great, their defense gave up the third-most points in the league. This caused the team to finish with its worst record since 2020.

Things got harder when star quarterback Joe Burrow missed most of the year due to an injury. To fix this, the Bengals traded for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to fill in for Burrow. But he became a free agent once the season ended. 

The Bengals then later signed Josh Johnson to fill in for the position in March. However, NFL expert Dale Altman thinks the Bengals will cut Johnson before the regular season begins. According to a report by Heavy.com: 

“Cincy Jungle’s Dale Altman revealed his 53-man roster projection for the Cincinnati Bengals, in which he has Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco as the only two quarterbacks on the team, despite the NFL allowing an emergency third-string quarterback,”  Jose Esquer reported.

The reason is that Flacco tested free agency to look for a starting job. When he couldn't find one, he decided to return to Cincinnati to back up Burrow.

If Altman is right, the Bengals will carry just Burrow and Flacco into the new season. This will leave Johnson looking for his next football home. 

Johnson is a true NFL journeyman. Since starting his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009, he has made over $13 million. He has played for 14 different NFL teams, including a recent stop with the Washington Commanders in 2025. 

Why Might The Bengals Prefer Joe Flacco over Josh Johnson 

While Johnson offers 50 games of NFL experience and 11 starts, his on-field performance remains highly erratic. His career statistics are weighed down by a completion percentage under 60% and a higher interception count than touchdowns. 

After spending last year as the Washington Commanders' third-string quarterback, Johnson has bounced around 14 different NFL franchises in 18 years. He occasionally detours into the Alliance of American Football and the XFL to keep his career alive. 

Last season, Flacco played in nine games and threw for 1,664 yards. He was highly efficient, throwing 13 touchdowns against only four interceptions, which gave him a strong 91.0 passer rating.

Thanks to his great play down the stretch, he helped lead the Bengals into the playoffs and even earned a spot in his very first Pro Bowl. Altman also highlighted Flacco’s value,

“Flacco is an ideal backup for the Bengals. His experience alone should help with weekly preparation in the quarterback room... Flacco has shown he can still play at a high level when called upon,”  Altman wrote.

As the preseason progresses, head coach Zac Taylor and offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher are balancing veteran stability against roster flexibility.

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Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Rudra Dubey