The Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets meet in Week 8 of the NFL season under vastly different circumstances, despite both teams holding losing records. The Jets, winless at 0-7, are facing turmoil with growing questions around first-year head coach Aaron Glenn and ongoing uncertainty at quarterback. The Bengals, meanwhile, have found new life thanks to veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, a resurgence that has kept their playoff hopes alive.
Ahead of the matchup, Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks made headlines with his bold praise for the 40-year-old Bengals quarterback, telling The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, “You can eventually put him in Canton.”
Wilks’ statement, referencing the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, raised eyebrows across the league. Having coached for multiple teams, including the Bears, Panthers, Cardinals, Browns, 49ers, and now the Jets, Wilks has seen his fair share of elite quarterbacks. His admiration for Flacco might partially be gamesmanship, but it also reflects respect for the veteran’s longevity and steady leadership.
Flacco’s Hall of Fame case is intriguing but far from guaranteed. The former Super Bowl champion and MVP has built a résumé that includes 47,073 career passing yards (14th all-time) and 264 touchdowns (21st all-time). His crowning achievement came during the 2012 postseason when he threw for 1,140 yards and 11 touchdowns without an interception, leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory.
Since leaving Baltimore in 2018, Flacco has taken on journeyman roles with several teams, Denver, New York, Cleveland, Indianapolis, before landing in Cincinnati. But under his leadership, the Bengals have revitalized their offense, recovering from a 2–4 start and reentering the playoff conversation.
While his statistics may fall short compared to modern pass-heavy era quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins, Flacco’s durability, leadership, and clutch playoff legacy give him an outside shot at Hall of Fame consideration.
Whether or not he ever reaches Canton, Wilks’ comment underscores the respect Flacco commands around the league, even from opponents preparing to face him.
