"He knew what he was doing": Joe Flacco calls out Steelers $123M star for dirty hit

Jul 15, 2026, 7:41 PM CUT

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 28: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco 16 looks to pass during the second half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 28, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 28 Cardinals at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251228188

Joe Flacco didn't mince words when reflecting on one hit from T.J. Watt. In Season 3 of Netflix’s sports documentary series Quarterback, veteran Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco did not hold back his true feelings about Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt.

During Episode six, titled "Toughness Is a Choice," per SI.com, Flacco said Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers took a dirty hit at him during their Week 11 matchup.

"Man, he f***ed me up. He knew what he was doing, too,” Flacco said in the episode. “It was on my left side, but man, the way he bent me up, this area right here... my right pec. He was like, 'I've got a chance to hit him here. I'm gonna take full advantage.'"

Watt signed a three-year $123 million contract extension in 2025, with a total guaranteed amount of $108 million, according to Spotrac.

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 28: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco 16 stands on the sideline before the game against the Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 28, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 28 Cardinals at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251228085

According to Jack Markowski of the Pittsburgh Steelers on SI, Flacco was rolling out to throw the ball away when Watt hit him and drove him hard into the turf. The play resulted in a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer.

While Flacco brushed it off as "just football" in his postgame press conference, Netflix’s microphones caught what he really thought on the sideline.

At the time, Flacco was already nursing a shoulder injury from a Week 8 game against the New York Jets. He believed Watt knew about the injury and used the hit to exploit it.

The 41-year-old quarterback has played the Steelers 24 times throughout his career with the Ravens, Browns, and Bengals.

In the end, the Steelers got the last laugh, defeating the Bengals 34-12. Now he once again returns to the Bengals.

Quarterback also captured a much lighter moment from Flacco's 2025 season, showing a different side of the veteran quarterback.

The Netflix series also captured another memorable Joe Flacco moment

During a 2025 game against the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals needed to gain just one yard. They wanted to run a quarterback sneak, but star quarterback Joe Burrow said no because he did not want to get hurt.

Instead, the team called on 41-year-old backup Joe Flacco. Flacco went into the game, ran the play perfectly, and got the first down. The fans cheered loudly for him, which Flacco found pretty funny.

Later, according to Jay Morrison of the Cincinnati Bengals on SI, on the show Quarterback, Flacco joked about how he felt hearing those big cheers

"It's kind of corny like that, you know, I'm getting cheered for a quarterback sneak. I'm like, 'No,' but I would hate me if I was watching that.” Flacco added. “I would be like, 'Look at this freaking guy. He's getting cheered for a freaking quarterback sneak. What a loser.' But whatever, it is what it is."

Earlier that season, the Browns traded Flacco to the Bengals. He played very well while Burrow was injured.

The contrasting moments in the Quarterback series offered a glimpse into both Flacco's competitive side and his ability to laugh at himself during one of the most eventful seasons of his career.

What are your thoughts on Joe Flacco's then shoulder injury? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Rudra Dubey