Joe Flacco, a quarterback, is traded to the Bengals from the Cleveland Browns
In order to get a much-needed quarterback, the Cincinnati Bengals looked to their division rivals, and they traded for Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns.
The transaction, which was made public on Tuesday, gave Cleveland a fifth-round pick and Cincinnati a sixth-round draft pick.
Since franchise quarterback Joe Burrow had a toe injury in Week 2, the Bengals have been looking for a long-term replacement behind center. Since taking Burrow's place, Jake Browning has had trouble, throwing eight interceptions in portions of four games.
Flacco joins Cincinnati two days after the Bengals (2-3) lost their third straight game with Browning, who threw three more interceptions in Sunday's 37-24 loss to the Detroit Lions. Cincinnati has been outscored 113-37 during the three-game skid.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor was noncommittal when asked Sunday about Browning's status as the starter, saying the organization would "look at all personnel to make sure we're doing the right thing." Taylor also acknowledged that speculation about Browning's role was "fair" because of "the amount of turnovers that we had."
The Bengals, who entered the season with a healthy Burrow and lofty expectations, apparently will turn to Flacco, 40, who has a recent history of energizing offenses.
"Joe is an experienced quarterback with a history of winning," Taylor said in a statement released by the team. "He is a leader with a skill set that will fit our personnel well. He is a gifted passer with a strong arm, and we are excited to have him on our team."
The Bengals cut quarterback Brett Rypien on Tuesday to make room for Flacco on the 53-man roster.
Following an impressive five-game run with the Browns, who went 4-1 during that time, Flacco was awarded the 2023 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year. After taking Deshaun Watson's place due to injury, the former Super Bowl MVP tossed for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns, helping Cleveland secure an unusual postseason berth.
After replacing an injured Anthony Richardson for the Indianapolis Colts last season, Flacco had a successful but erratic stretch. With Indianapolis, Flacco completed 65.3% of his throws for 1761 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight games, six of which he started.
The Bengals hope the trade helps keep them in postseason contention while Burrow is on injured reserve. Sources told ESPN last month that Burrow was expected to miss at least three months after undergoing toe surgery, but the Bengals have left open the possibility that the star quarterback will return at some point this season.
Taylor has stated that the Bengals want to have a starting quarterback in place by Wednesday, the first practice of the game week, ahead of Sunday's road matchup in Green Bay against the Packers. Cincinnati is second in the AFC North, behind only the Steelers (3-1), and has a 9.2% chance of making the postseason, according to ESPN's 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 among 32 qualifying quarterbacks in Total QBR, according to ESPN Research. Browning is two spots higher at 29th.
Flacco will have played for all of the AFC North's teams save the Steelers once he joins Cincinnati. He played for the Ravens for the first 11 years of his career, becoming MVP of Super Bowl XLVII in a victory over the 49ers. This season, the Bengals will play the Ravens twice, including in Baltimore on Thanksgiving night.
This past offseason, Flacco was welcomed back by the Browns to offer seasoned leadership to a packed quarterback room that also contained youngsters Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Prior to being replaced by Gabriel in last Sunday's loss to the Vikings, the 18-year veteran started Cleveland's first four games this season.
Flacco's departure from Cleveland could open the door for Sanders to be elevated to the No. 2 quarterback spot behind Gabriel. Sanders has been Cleveland's emergency third-string quarterback for the first five games of the season.
The Browns listed Sanders as their No. 2 quarterback on Tuesday's unofficial depth chart for their upcoming game against Pittsburgh.
Bailey Zappe is currently on Cleveland's practice squad, and Deshaun Watson remains on the physically unable to perform list as he rehabs from an Achilles injury.
