The Cincinnati Bengals made a splash on Tuesday, acquiring veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and a sixth-round pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth-round selection.
Flacco is now preparing to take over for Jake Browning, who has led the Bengals offense over the past three games since Joe Burrow went down with a toe injury expected to sideline him until at least mid-to-late December.
Cincinnati remains hopeful that Burrow can return at some point this season, making it crucial for the team to stay in postseason contention. Browning went 0-3 as the starter, throwing eight interceptions since stepping in during Week 2 after Burrow’s mid-game exit.
The Bengals opened the season against the Browns in Week 1, and before that matchup, the media asked Burrow about facing Joe Flacco, who was starting for Cleveland at the time.
Burrow’s comments resurfaced on Tuesday, as he spoke highly of the former Super Bowl champion.
“I think he throws it better than what a lot of people give him credit for,” Burrow said back in Week 1. “I think he’s one of the more natural throwers of the football that I’ve ever seen. He can spin it with the best of them. He’s got one of the strongest arms of all time, so he’s going to be able to put it when and where he wants to.”
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Flacco is more than familiar with the AFC North having spent his first 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, where he threw for over 38,000 yards and 212 touchdowns.
Since then, Flacco has served as a veteran presence around the league, spending three seasons with the New York Jets, one with the Denver Broncos, one with the Indianapolis Colts, and two with the Browns. He helped lead Cleveland to the postseason in 2023 and earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
The Bengals reportedly didn’t explore trades for Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston before agreeing to the deal for Joe Flacco, likely due in large part to the veteran experience Flacco brings and his overall fit within head coach Zac Taylor’s offense.
Flacco is one of the few quarterbacks capable of stepping into a new system and being ready to start immediately, which aligns perfectly with Cincinnati’s goal heading into Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
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