The Cincinnati Bengals have traded for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns, bolstering their beleaguered offense in the wake of Joe Burrow’s season-altering injury. The deal, first reported by NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, sees the Bengals parting with a fifth-round draft pick in exchange for the 40-year-old Flacco and a sixth-round selection from Cleveland.
The trade comes at a critical juncture for Cincinnati, which has stumbled to a 2-3 record after an optimistic 2-0 start. Burrow, the Bengals’ franchise cornerstone, underwent surgery on September 17 for a Grade 3 turf toe injury on his left foot, sidelining him for at least three months. His earliest potential return is Week 16 on December 21, leaving the team desperate for stability under center. Backup Jake Browning has shouldered the load but faltered in his three starts, going 0-3 with a staggering minus-76 point differential, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. The Bengals’ offense, once a juggernaut, now ranks dead last in total yards (228.6 per game) and fourth-worst in scoring (17.0 points per game).
Head coach Zac Taylor, who had previously voiced “a ton of confidence” in Browning, hinted at personnel shifts following a disheartening 37-24 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 5. “After a game like that, we’re going to look at all personnel to make sure we’re doing the right thing,” Taylor said postgame. “I won’t shy away from that because it’s a very fair question after the amount of turnovers we had. To say Jake can’t win games for us, I believe Jake can win games for us. I do. We’ll just continue to look at everything we can personnel-wise.”
Flacco, a Super Bowl XLVII MVP with the Baltimore Ravens and the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year during a playoff heroics stint with the Browns, brings a wealth of experience to a Bengals squad clinging to wildcard hopes. Drafted 18th overall by Baltimore in 2008, Flacco enters his 18th NFL season and third tour of duty in the AFC North. His Ravens tenure cemented his legacy as a big-game performer, leading Baltimore to a championship with a record-setting postseason passing performance.
This season, however, Flacco’s magic has been elusive. In four starts for the 1-4 Browns, he posted a 1-3 record, completing just 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards, two touchdowns, and a league-high six interceptions—prompting his benching in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. For Cleveland, the trade nets a modest upgrade in draft capital and clears the path for Gabriel’s development, though it depletes a veteran locker room presence.
The acquisition underscores the Bengals’ aggressive push to salvage their season in a cutthroat division where the Pittsburgh Steelers lead at 3-1, followed by Cincinnati, the 1-4 Browns, and the Baltimore Ravens. Historical trends paint a stark picture: Since 2019, Burrow boasts a 40-30-1 record with 25.3 points and 256.7 passing yards per game; all other Bengals quarterbacks combined are 8-25 with 18.0 points and 209.4 yards. Flacco’s poise in high-pressure spots could bridge the gap, injecting veteran savvy into an offense featuring stars like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Fans and analysts alike buzzed on social media, with one Bengals supporter tweeting, “Flacco to Cincy? Old man Joe saving the day again—Who Dey!” Rumors had swirled about pursuits of other signal-callers like Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins, but Flacco’s availability and divisional familiarity made him the pragmatic choice.
Mick Lite is a versatile entrepreneur, photographer, and blogger with a huge passion for Music, Sports, Movies, Food, and Gaming. He has worked as an official scorer, social media manager, and photographer for various college, semi pro, and pro sports teams, including the River City Rascals, St. Louis Attack, Missouri Monsters, St. Charles Chill, SLU Billikens, Gateway Steam, St. Louis Riversharks, and Gateway Grizzlies. Served 12 years in the USN/USAF/USN.
