Bengals Secure Joe Flacco to Bolster Quarterback Position
The Cincinnati Bengals have made a strategic decision by acquiring quarterback Joe Flacco in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. This move seeks to provide a solution to the quarterback position, which is key for the team. In the agreement, the Bengals will also receive a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft, while the Browns will get a fifth-round pick. The official announcement of the transfer was made on Tuesday. The need for a backup quarterback arose after Bengals starting quarterback Joe Burrow’s toe injury during Week 2. Jake Browning, who took over the role, has struggled, with eight interceptions in several games. Flacco joins the Bengals after the team suffered their third straight loss with Browning, who threw three additional interceptions in Sunday’s 37-24 loss against the Detroit Lions. The Bengals have been outscored 113-37 during this three-game stretch.To make room for Flacco on the 53-man roster, the Bengals released quarterback Brett Rypien on Tuesday. Flacco was recognized as the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year in 2023, after an outstanding performance with the Browns, who achieved a 4-1 record during that period. The former Super Bowl MVP threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns, leading Cleveland to an unexpected postseason berth. The Bengals hope this trade will allow them to stay in contention for the playoffs while Burrow recovers from his injury. Sources reported that Burrow is expected to be out for at least three months after undergoing toe surgery, although the Bengals are not ruling out his return this season. Coach Zac Taylor has indicated that the team is looking to have a starting quarterback defined by Wednesday, before Sunday’s game against the Packers in Green Bay. Cincinnati is second in the AFC North and has a 9.2% chance of making the postseason, according to the Football Power Index. Flacco completed 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions in four games with the Browns this season. He ranks 31st out of 32 quarterbacks in the Total QBR ranking. Browning is two spots above, at 29. Once he plays for Cincinnati, Flacco will have played for all the AFC North teams except the Steelers. He spent the first 11 years of his career with the Ravens, where he was named Super Bowl XLVII MVP. The Browns brought in Flacco this offseason to provide leadership to a quarterback group that also included rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The 18-year veteran started Cleveland’s first four games this season before being replaced by Gabriel in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. Flacco’s departure from Cleveland could open the door for Sanders to move up to the second quarterback position behind Gabriel. Sanders told Fox 8 News in Cleveland that Flacco has helped facilitate his transition to the league, noting that the veteran “understands where I am now”. Bailey Zappe is currently on Cleveland’s practice squad, and Deshaun Watson remains on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.“Joe is an experienced quarterback with a winning record. He is a leader with a skillset that will fit in well with our staff. He is a talented passer with a strong arm, and we are excited to have him on our team.”
Zac Taylor, Bengals Coach
