Trade Details: Bengals acquire Joe Flacco from the Browns
The Cincinnati Bengals have pulled off a midseason quarterbacking swap with their division rival, the Cleveland Browns. Sources confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Cincinnati is acquiring veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. In the deal, the Bengals will receive a sixth-round pick, while Cleveland gains a fifth-round selection in return. The move comes as Cincinnati searches for a stable, long-term answer under center following a toe injury to franchise quarterback Joe Burrow.
Jake Browning, who stepped in for Burrow, has faced a rough stretch. In three straight losses, Browning has struggled with ball security, throwing eight interceptions across parts of four games. The latest setback came in Sunday’s 37-24 defeat to the Detroit Lions, a game that extended Cincinnati’s skid to three losses and left the team at 2-3 on the season.
Why Cincinnati Made the Move
Bengals coach Zac Taylor indicated a willingness to consider all options to ensure the team is maximizing its chances as the season unfolds. Asked about Browning’s status as the starter, Taylor said the organization would review all personnel to make sure they’re doing the right thing, acknowledging that speculation about Browning’s role is fair given the turnover issues they’ve faced.
Flacco’s arrival gives Cincinnati a veteran presence with recent NFL success. The 40-year-old quarterback has a track record of steadying offenses in critical moments, and his résumé includes a stretch of effectiveness for Cleveland last season when he stepped in for an injured Deshaun Watson. His experience could provide a smoother bridge while Burrow continues to recover and the Bengals assess the best path forward for the rest of the year.
Flacco’s Recent Performance and What He Brings
Flacco’s most notable recent highlight came in 2023, when he earned AP Comeback Player of the Year honors after guiding the Browns to a 4-1 surge in a five-game stretch. He passed for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns in that span, stepping in for an injured Watson and helping Cleveland secure a late-season postseason berth. His performance with the Browns last year and his stint with the Colts last season showcased a quarterback who can energize an offense in short bursts and provide leadership in the huddle.
With Cincinnati, Flacco becomes a valuable veteran option who can stabilize the quarterback room while Burrow works back toward full health. He isn’t expected to be a long-term fix, but his experience could help the Bengals navigate the remainder of a season that has quickly become unpredictable after a rough start. The immediate question for Cincinnati is how Flacco’s presence changes game planning, especially with a division race that remains wide open.
Browns’ Quarterback Picture and Possible Implications
For Cleveland, trading Flacco clears a veteran path that could accelerate development for Roe Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel, depending on how the Browns want to structure the depth chart. Sanders had been Cleveland’s emergency third-string option for the first part of the season, while Gabriel had been starting in place of an ineffective Flacco at times. The move leaves a clearer, more defined path for the Browns’ young signal-callers and could produce a faster transition as the team balances competitive aspirations with long-term growth.
In the short term, Flacco’s addition to the Bengals raises questions about how Cincinnati will rotate quarterbacks and manage practice reps as Burrow works toward his return. For Browns fans, the trade signals a renewed focus on development and depth at the most important position, while the rest of the AFC North watches closely to gauge the potential ripple effects across the division.
What’s Next
Both teams will likely re-evaluate their QB situations in the coming weeks, especially if Burrow remains on the mend and Browning’s turnover issues persist. The Flacco-to-Cincinnati move serves as a reminder that the NFL is a quarterback-driven league where veteran leadership can be the deciding factor in a season that’s already delivered more questions than answers for both Cincinnati and Cleveland.
