Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco began the 2025 season as opponents, with Burrow’s Bengals defeating Flacco and the Browns, 17-16, in Week 1 in Cleveland. A month later, the two became teammates when the Browns traded Flacco to the Bengals.

The Bears defense waited all week to know if they would face Lamar Jackson and now there is a question over whether they'll face Cincinnati's QB.

A report on Wednesday morning said Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco's status for Sunday's game against the Bears is uncertain due to a right shoulder injury and head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that at a press conference later in the day.

The Cincinnati Bengals are already in the “players-only meetings” portion of a potential meltdown. According to Fox 19’s Joe Danneman, Bengals defenders were in a players-only meeting on Monday when reporters were in the building for a Zac Taylor press conference and other start-of-week stuff.

The Cincinnati quarterback played his best game of the season, finishing 34 of 42 for 481 yards and three touchdowns and running for a 1-yard score as the defending AFC champion Bengals (4-3) moved above .500 for the first time this season.