Report: Cincinnati Bengals acquire Joe Flacco from Cleveland Browns
The Cincinnati Bengals are shaking up their quarterback room by trading for veteran Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns.
Here’s everything you need to know.
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Flacco trade
The Bengals are reportedly receiving Flacco and a sixth-round draft pick from Cleveland in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
Cincinnati makes the move for Flacco after losing franchise quarterback Joe Burrow to a toe injury suffered in Week 2 that will sideline him until at least December.
The Bengals are second in the division with a 2-3 record, but they’ve lost three straight games with backup QB Jake Browning starting. In four appearances this season, Browning is averaging 189 passing yards per game with a 64.5 completion percentage while tossing for six touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Joe Flacco
This will actually be Flacco’s third AFC North team after spending the first 11 seasons of his career with Baltimore and leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl in 2012.
Flacco has bounced around the league over the last few years, but he’s a proven veteran who should be an upgrade over Browning. The 40-year-old also won Comeback Player of the Year in 2023 after leading Cleveland to a late-season playoff berth.
However, Flacco has struggled in four starts this season, averaging 204 passing yards per game with a 58.1 completion percentage. He’s thrown for two TDs and six interceptions, but was benched last week in favour of rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati’s Super Bowl odds have taken a nosedive since the Burrow injury. The Bengals began the year at +2500 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, but now sits at +50,000. That’s the biggest change in the NFL.
Cincinnati is currently sitting at +1500 to win the AFC North, just ahead of Cleveland at +1800. Despite Lamar Jackson’s hamstring injury, the 1-4 Ravens are still +105 favourites to win the division, just ahead of 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers and the 3-1 Steelers at +110.
