Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, once again finds himself at the center of a swirling narrative, This time, the 40-year-old signal caller’s unexpected journey has taken him from starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns to a trade that sends him to their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals. This mid-season move, the first between these division foes since the Browns returned in 1999, has sparked considerable discussion and raises questions about Flacco’s ability to revitalize a struggling Bengals offense in the absence of injured starter Joe Burrow. Cincinnati felt like they desperately needed to make a move to save their season. Can Flacco be the solution to their problems?
The Evolving Saga of Joe Flacco
The Cleveland Chapter: A Rocky Start and Bench Designation
Flacco’s 2025 campaign began with promise in Cleveland. He was named the Browns’ starting quarterback, showcasing his leadership in a quarterback room that included rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco also had an impressive first stint with the Browns, so there was reason to believe that Cleveland could overachieve with him leading the way yet again. However, the initial optimism quickly faded. Flacco led the Browns to a 1-3 record through the first four games.
Flacco threw for 815 yards with two touchdowns and six interceptions in his first four starts with Cleveland. His struggles were most evident in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, where he accounted for three turnovers in a lopsided loss, resulting in his benching in favor of rookie quarterback Gabriel. The Browns subsequently traded Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Bengals in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick. The Browns felt it was time to see what Gabriel could do, which also moves Sanders up to QB2 at the moment, but Cleveland has not fully committed to the idea of Sanders being the backup for Sunday’s game just yet.
Heading to Cincinnati: A Desperate Attempt to Stay Afloat
The Bengals’ decision to acquire Flacco comes amidst a three-game losing streak and the significant absence of their starting quarterback, Burrow, who is sidelined with a toe injury. Backup Jake Browning, filling in for Burrow, has a 0-3 record with six touchdowns and eight interceptions. Browning was just not performing well enough and was showing no signs of improvement, so a move had to be made.
Faced with a spiraling season, the Bengals hope Flacco’s experience and strong arm can provide a spark and keep them competitive in the AFC North. Notably, Flacco is familiar with the division, having spent 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, where he earned a Super Bowl MVP title. He will be the first quarterback aged 40 or older to start for two different franchises in the same NFL season when he makes his debut for the Bengals.
Potential Implications and Future Outlook
The trade carries significant implications for both franchises. For the Bengals, it’s a gamble on a veteran quarterback in hopes of salvaging their season. Flacco’s immediate impact will be crucial in determining if Cincinnati can weather the storm without Burrow. For the Browns, the trade signifies a commitment to developing their young quarterbacks, Gabriel and Sanders. Sanders, who was initially the Browns’ fourth-string quarterback in camp, has now possibly taken another step forward towards becoming a starting quarterback.
The AFC North is unexpectedly close this season, with the Pittsburgh Steelers currently leading and the Ravens also facing injuries. Whether Flacco can rekindle the magic he showed during his 2023 Comeback Player of the Year campaign and lead the Bengals to a playoff push remains a trending topic of conversation across the league and beyond. The Bengals face the Green Bay Packers Sunday and it has recently been announced that Flacco will indeed be the starter for that game.
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