Who Should I Start? Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
22.3 3.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Joe Flacco News

Joe Flacco Could Return to Bengals as Backup

Sunday, March 8, 7:32 PM

Veteran free-agent quarterback Joe Flacco wants an opportunity to at least compete for a starting job somewhere in 2026. However, if he's forced to settle for backup work, Flacco would "strongly consider" returning to the Cincinnati Bengals to back up Joe Burrow, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The 41-year-old made his first Pro Bowl team in 2025 after initially beginning the season with the Cleveland Browns as their starter. Cincy traded for Flacco after Burrow went down with a turf-toe injury early in the season, and Flacco proceeded to pull more magic out of his hat by throwing for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions in nine games (six starts) for the Bengals. He became a waiver-wire pickup in fantasy leagues for QB-needy managers and had some decent performances along the way. There don't appear to be any glaring options for Flacco to be handed another starting job, so the likelihood of him returning to Cincy could be pretty high.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Kenny Pickett News

Kenny Pickett Agrees to One-Year Deal With Panthers

Monday, March 9, 2:28 PM

Free-agent quarterback Kenny Pickett agreed to a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers on Monday that will be worth up to $7.5 million, including $4 million in guarantees, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. With Pickett now in the fold as Bryce Young's backup, the Panthers are expected to trade veteran Andy Dalton. The 27-year-old Pickett will be on his fourth different team in the last four seasons. He was the 20th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 out of Pittsburgh, but he only lasted two years in the Steel City before being dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles. Pickett spent last year with the Las Vegas Raiders, playing in six games (two starts) while going 28-for-45 passing for 188 yards, one touchdown, and two picks. He has mostly operated as a game manager under center with limited upside in his four NFL seasons, completing only 62.4% of his passes.


Joe Flacco vs. Kenny Pickett

Still trying to decide between Flacco and Pickett? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Joe Flacco is projected to score 22.3 points this week while Kenny Pickett is projected to score 0.0 points.