Joe Flacco Is Back (Again!) And He Has Some Strong Opinions About Helmet Visors

The 2026 NFL Season Is Almost Here

Believe it or not, the 2026 NFL season is coming up really fast. And guess what? Joe Flacco is going to be in it once again — which is pretty surprising all by itself.

• Flacco is 41 years old.
• He is now part of the Cincinnati Bengals organization.
• He joined the Bengals after a midseason trade in 2025.
• Before that, he was with the Cleveland Browns for training camp and the start of the 2025 season.

The Wild Cleveland Browns Quarterback Room

The Browns’ group of quarterbacks in 2025 was, without doubt, the most interesting in all of football. Here’s who was in it:

• Joe Flacco – the older, experienced player
• Kenny Pickett – another quarterback
• Dillon Gabriel – a rookie (a first-year player)
• Shedeur Sanders – a rookie and famous young player

Flacco’s main job with the Browns was clear:

• Help the two rookies learn and grow
• Teach them how to play quarterback at the highest level

What Rookies Usually Learn From A Veteran

Sanders and Gabriel probably expected Flacco to help them with big football skills, like:

1. Reading defenses (understanding what the other team is planning)
2. Recognizing blitzes and coverages (spotting when players rush or guard)
3. Learning a complicated playbook (the team’s book of plays)
4. Figuring out how to rest and recover in the NFL

But there was one lesson Sanders probably did not expect: a lesson about helmet visors.

Important Point: A helmet visor is a clear or tinted shield attached to a football helmet that covers the eyes.

Flacco’s Visor Rant On Netflix

In a new episode of Netflix’s show called "Quarterback", Flacco talked strongly about Sanders wearing a visor in practice.

• Sanders and Gabriel first said visors are practical (useful).
• They asked why visors are not good if they work like an "eye shield."
• Flacco did not agree at all.

Here is what Flacco said, in simple terms:

• "If you wear a visor, it’s for looks. You think you look cool. It’s that era."
• He said he does not want his own kids to wear visors either.
• "They’re just annoying. They’re gonna fog up." (The visor gets steamy and hard to see through.)
• "They suck, dude. It’s all about look."
• He added: "If you’re a quarterback, you’re wearing a visor? You look like an idiot. You’re trying to look too sweet."

Did Sanders Listen?

Flacco has been in the NFL since 2008, so he knows a lot. But Sanders still wore a visor at minicamp before this season.

• In 2025, his visor was like a mirror (very shiny).
• In 2026 minicamp, it was clearer, but still there.

So, Sanders did not fully take the advice!

Upcoming Games To Know About

Here are the key games mentioned:

• Browns and Sanders play the Bears on August 15 (preseason).
• They start the regular season on the road against the Jaguars on September 13.
• Flacco and the Bengals play the Lions in their preseason opener.
• They host Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 13.

Important Point: One thing is for sure — Flacco will NOT be wearing a visor in those games!

Summary

Joe Flacco, a 41-year-old quarterback, is heading into the 2026 NFL season with the Cincinnati Bengals after time with the Cleveland Browns. In Cleveland, he helped rookies like Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel learn the game. On Netflix’s "Quarterback," Flacco strongly said visors are just for looks and "suck" because they fog up. Sanders still wore one, but a clearer version. The new season starts in September, and Flacco will definitely skip the visor.

FAQ

1. Who is Joe Flacco?
Joe Flacco is a 41-year-old NFL quarterback who has played since 2008. In 2026, he is with the Cincinnati Bengals.

2. What is a helmet visor in football?
It is a shield on the front of a helmet that covers the eyes. Some players wear it to look cool or to block light.

3. Why does Flacco not like visors?
He says they are only for looks, they fog up and become annoying, and quarterbacks should not try to look "too sweet."

4. Did Shedeur Sanders stop wearing his visor?
No. He wore a clearer one at 2026 minicamp, but still used a visor.

5. When does the 2026 NFL regular season start for these teams?
Both the Browns (vs Jaguars) and Bengals (vs Buccaneers) play on September 13.