Sportsnaut
Zac Taylor tried to warn us that a quarterback change could be coming to the Cincinnati Bengals. Yet, many didn’t think this franchise could pull it off, as they rarely part with extra draft or financial compensation via trade. The craziest part about Cincinnati’s trade is that they’ve executed a deal with a division rival in the middle of the season, which is rare, to say the least.
Nevertheless, the Bengals have traded a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Joe Flacco. The Bengals also got a sixth-round pick in return from Cleveland.
Ironically, while Jake Browning hasn’t played well, one could argue that Flacco isn’t much of an upgrade, if at all. Consider that Browning and Flacco are the only two NFL quarterbacks with a TD rate under 5% + and an INT rate above 3%. Basically, they don’t find the end zone often, and their passes often end up in the defender’s arms. Neither of those traits is one that any football team seeks.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Bengals did internally discuss trades for a number of quarterbacks, including possibly with the New York Giants for Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston, but they never made an offer for either one.
Flacco lost his starting job prior to Week 5, leading to Browns rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel making his first start. Gabriel didn’t win, but he did enough to inspire confidence in his ability to do the job. Meanwhile, this leaves the Browns without a veteran quarterback in the locker room, but it’s possible Deshaun Watson is nearing a return.
Otherwise, it’s just fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders plus Gabriel in the Browns’ QB room, but they do have Bailey Zappe on the practice squad. Tyler Huntley, who spent part of the preseason in Cleveland, is now on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, but the Browns could try signing him to their active roster if they feel it’s necessary. It’s probably not unless an injury occurs.
Flacco may not inspire much confidence, but he is a former Super Bowl winner who brings 195 NFL starts to the table. He can still get the ball downfield, if he has time (big if in Cincinnati). Yet, all he has to do is weather the storm until Joe Burrow returns, and chances are he’ll be more equipped to do so than Browning was.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Flacco trade marks the first deal between the Bengals and Browns since they returned to Cleveland in 1999.
While trades with division rivals are usually rare, the Browns may not be as concerned with sending Flacco to their in-state foe, as these two teams don’t line up against each other again until Week 18, when Cleveland will likely be well out of playoff contention.
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