The Cincinnati Bengals have acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and a sixth-round pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth-round pick, multiple reports say. The agreement is just the second such division inside the AFC North. Flacco was just benched in favor of an unknown in Cleveland, but will now switch to a Bengals squad that is desperately seeking semi-competence within the Burrow-less offense as they recover from the injury of Joe Burrow. It gives the Bengals a reliable veteran to help them restore their season as they sift through a cloudy quarterback situation.
Joe Flacco joins Bengals amid Joe Burrow’s injury concerns
Star quarterback Joe Burrow had been battling a nagging toe injury, and Cincinnati has been seeking stability. Backup Jake Browning has seen action in mop-up duty, throwing interception after interception and failing to keep drives rolling during the losing streak. The Bengals needed someone they could trust; they went with Joe Flacco, a veteran who can come in and immediately bolster the Bengals’ offense with his experience and presence.In the trade arrangement, Cincinnati gives up a sixth-rounder to net Flacco but only has to surrender a fifth-rounder to Cleveland for the rights to the quarterback. This trade helps each team fill immediate needs while giving both teams some draft flexibility going forward. Flacco may or may not have the keys to the car right away, or be a bridge until Burrow is completely healed. That said, with Cincinnati’s offensive woes, it wouldn’t be shocking if Flacco hit the field before long.Also Read: Kirk Cousins, Joe Flacco, and Dak Prescott make it to the NFL ‘Bag’ Hall of Fame
Browns turn to Dillon Gabriel as new starting quarterback
With the trade almost certainly sounds the end of the line for the Browns at quarterback. When Flacco got benched during the year, he was already replaced by rookie Dillon Gabriel. Flacco leaving means Gabriel is now the QB1, and Shedeur Sanders will move up in the depth chart to the backup spot.The extra fifth-rounder is some extra draft capital for Cleveland, but the bigger story has to do with their long-term quarterback plans. Heading into the 2025 season, the team had no definite answer on who would run the offense with Deshaun Watson still working his way back from injury. Subtracting Flacco from the equation illustrates a greater, younger movement to have some consistency in the inner workings of the unit.With the season dragging on, it will be interesting to see how in a hurry Flacco learns the Bengals’ playbook and if Gabriel can provide consistent play for the Browns. Both squads are banking on a quarterback change to rekindle their postseason aspirations.
