Joe Flacco Guides Rookie Quarterbacks and Stirs Visor Debate Ahead of 2026 NFL Season

Joe Flacco Joins Cincinnati Bengals

The 2026 NFL season is near, with Joe Flacco making headlines once again. Flacco, now 41, aligns with the Cincinnati Bengals following a midseason trade in 2025. Previously, he spent training camp and the season’s start with the Cleveland Browns. This Browns quarterback lineup, undoubtedly, captured attention across the league.

The Browns’ Intriguing Quarterback Lineup

Flacco led the Browns’ quarterback room alongside Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. His presence was pivotal in guiding these young players, providing insights on reading defenses, identifying blitzes, understanding playbooks, and mastering recovery strategies at the professional level.

Flacco’s Unexpected Lesson: The Helmet Visor Debate

However, Flacco imparted an unexpected lesson. In Netflix’s “Quarterback,” he critiqued Sanders for wearing a helmet visor during practice.

“You think you look sweet,” Flacco remarked, highlighting the impracticality of visors. “They’re going to fog up and are all about looks.”

This sparked discussion among players. Sanders and Gabriel initially insisted on the practicality of visors as eye shields.

Flacco’s stance, however, was firm. He humorously noted, “You’re a quarterback, bro, you’re f****** wearing a visor? You look like a f***** idiot. When you reach a certain level, it becomes more about appearance than function.”

Sanders’ Continued Use of Visor

Despite the critique, Sanders retained the visor in minicamp, albeit opting for a clearer version than before. His choice exemplifies the ongoing debate on practicality versus aesthetics among players.

Upcoming Season Match-Ups

As the Browns prepare for their preseason game against the Bears on August 15 and the Jaguars on September 13, attention remains on Flacco as he lines up for the Bengals. Their preseason begins against the Lions, followed by a home game against the Buccaneers on September 13.

The upcoming games are sure to spark interest, but one thing is clear: Flacco will steer clear of visors during his performances.

Written by Ian Miller at OutKick.