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Why Is Joe Flacco in the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl? Explaining the Bengals QB’s Selection

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Joe Flacco in 2026 Pro Bowl
Joe Flacco (Image Credits: Imagn)

In a season full of surprises, one of the most unexpected twists in the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl roster is the inclusion of Joe Flacco. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, once widely thought of as past his prime, earned a Pro Bowl nod that left fans and analysts curious: Why is Joe Flacco playing in the 2026 Pro Bowl?

Joe Flacco’s Journey to Pro Bowl Recognition

Joe Flacco’s path to this unexpected Pro Bowl nod is rooted in experience and opportunity. A Super Bowl MVP earlier in his career, Flacco entered the 2025 season with the Cincinnati Bengals as a reliable veteran option. When injuries struck the Bengals’ quarterback room first to Joe Burrow, and later to backups, Flacco stepped into the starting role with poise.

Joe Flacco’s long wait for Pro Bowl recognition finally ended in 2026, and it came with historic context. The veteran quarterback was one of 29 first-time Pro Bowl selections this year, and according to reports, no player in NFL history has waited longer to earn a first Pro Bowl nod.

Flacco’s season took a winding path. He opened the 2025 campaign as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback, but after four games, he was benched. Then, on Oct. 7, his career took another turn when he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals following Joe Burrow’s turf toe injury.

Joe Flacco on getting into the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl

Once in Cincinnati, Flacco settled the Bengals’ offence during the heart of the season. Over his most productive stretch, he completed 61.7% of his passes, throwing 13 touchdowns against just four interceptions. This is Flacco’s best stretch in recent years, a notable assessment for a quarterback with more than two decades in the league. By season’s end, Flacco had also added a rare footnote to his résumé: he became a starter at some point in his career for three of the four AFC North teams.

When the Pro Bowl invitation finally came, it carried personal weight. Flacco admitted the honor had lingered quietly in the back of his mind throughout his career, even if it was never a central focus.

“Bengalscoach Zac Taylor called me up, and he was trying to feel me out about it, and I said I’d be to it if it came up,” Flacco said before his first Pro Bowl practice Monday morning.

“I don’t think it’s a goal that you really think about at the forefront of your mind, but it was definitely something that you have in the back that you want to.”

Why Was Flacco Selected Over Other AFC Quarterbacks?

Flacco was not an original Pro Bowl selection. Instead, he entered the field through a chain of replacements after several AFC quarterbacks became unavailable.

  • Drake Maye was ruled out because he is preparing to play in Super Bowl 60.
  • Josh Allen and Justin Herbert both withdrew due to late-season injuries.

Advanced metrics provided a more nuanced picture. During his midseason run with the Bengals, Flacco matched Burrow’s expected points added (EPA) per dropback at 0.11, according to ESPN Research. Flacco posted a 54.7 Total QBR, compared to Burrow’s 63.1. Meanwhile, Flacco got ranked No. 36 overall, assigning him a D+ grade.

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