It seems likely that the San Francisco 49ers are going to have a new quarterback behind Brock Purdy on the depth chart in 2025. Could that quarterback really be the 40-year-old journeyman Joe Flacco?
Recent reporting suggests it could be.
Sportskeeda reporter Tony Pauline listed the 49ers as one of several teams who could potentially be suitors for Joe Flacco this offseason. Other teams listed were the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots.
Niners fans may never be able to fully forgive him for what he did against their team in Super Bowl XLVII when he led the Baltimore Ravens to victory over San Francisco. That was the first Super Bowl the 49ers ever lost, and Flacco earned Super Bowl MVP honors with 287 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.
He may not be the same player he was in 2013, but he has proven in recent years that he can be a serviceable backup. In 2023 with the Cleveland Browns, he helped lead the team to the playoffs with a 4-1 record as a starter. In 2024 with the Indianapolis Colts, he was not able to get Indy to the playoffs but still had a decent season, statistically, passing for 1,761 yards with 12 touchdown passes against seven interceptions.
Flacco could be a viable option for the Niners as a backup to Purdy with it seemingly unlikely that Joshua Dobbs will return. Plus, Brandon Allen's lone start in 2024 against the Green Bay Packers when Purdy was injured did not inspire much confidence in his ability to be a truly reliable backup.
There are other potential options out there like Kirk Cousins, whose relationship with head coach Kyle Shanahan has already led to speculation about a reunion.
This season's playoffs have made one appreciate Purdy even more, and one hopes he'll remain healthy and play at a high level so the backup does not even need to factor into considerations. However, we know that Purdy has had some injuries in his young career. All it takes is one bad hit to end a quarterback's season, and the 49ers need to have a reliable backup in that event.
Flacco may now be in his 40s, but he has proven he can still get the job done in the NFL. If he does end up starting several games for the Niners in 2025 that means something has gone horribly awry, but he would not be the worst insurance plan for the Niners to have behind their franchise quarterback.