The Cincinnati Bengals turned to their division rivals for a much-needed answer at quarterback, buying Joe Flacco in a commerce with the Cleveland Browns.
Cincinnati additionally obtained a 2026 sixth-round draft decide whereas Cleveland landed a fifth-round decide within the commerce, which was introduced Tuesday.
The Bengals have been looking for a long-term assist beneath middle since franchise quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a toe harm in Week 2. Jake Browning has struggled since changing Burrow, throwing eight interceptions over elements of 4 video games.
Flacco joins Cincinnati two days after the Bengals (2-3) misplaced their third straight sport with Browning, who threw three extra interceptions in Sunday's 37-24 loss to the Detroit Lions. Cincinnati has been outscored 113-37 throughout the three-game skid.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor was noncommittal when requested Sunday about Browning's standing because the starter, saying the group would “have a look at all personnel to verify we're doing the correct factor.” Taylor additionally acknowledged that hypothesis about Browning's function was “honest” due to “the quantity of turnovers that we had.”
The Bengals, who entered the season with a wholesome Burrow and lofty expectations, apparently will flip to Flacco, 40, who has a latest historical past of energizing offenses.
“Joe is an skilled quarterback with a historical past of profitable,” Taylor mentioned in an announcement launched by the workforce. “He's a pacesetter with a talent set that may match our personnel nicely. He's a gifted passer with a robust arm, and we're excited to have him on our workforce.”
To create a spot for Flacco on the 53-man roster, the Bengals launched quarterback Brett Rypien on Tuesday.
Flacco was named the Related Press Comeback Participant of the Yr in 2023 after a prolific five-game stretch with the Browns, who went 4-1 over that span. The previous Tremendous Bowl MVP handed for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns after changing the injured Deshaun Watson, main Cleveland to an unlikely postseason berth.
Flacco had a productive however shaky stretch final season with the Indianapolis Colts, the place he changed an injured Anthony Richardson. In eight video games — six begins — with Indianapolis, Flacco accomplished 65.3% of his passes for 1761 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Bengals hope the commerce helps hold them in postseason competition whereas Burrow is on injured reserve. Sources informed ESPN final month that Burrow was anticipated to overlook not less than three months after present process toe surgical procedure, however the Bengals have left open the likelihood that the star quarterback will return sooner or later this season.
Taylor has said that the Bengals wish to have a beginning quarterback in place by Wednesday, the primary apply of the sport week, forward of Sunday's street matchup in Inexperienced Bay towards the Packers. Cincinnati is second within the AFC North, behind solely the Steelers (3-1), and has a 9.2% likelihood of creating the postseason, in line with ESPN's Soccer Energy Index.
Flacco accomplished 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards, two touchdowns and 6 interceptions in 4 video games with the Browns this season. He ranks thirty first amongst 32 qualifying quarterbacks in Complete QBR, in line with ESPN Analysis. Browning is 2 spots increased at twenty ninth.
As soon as he performs for Cincinnati, Flacco may have performed for each AFC North workforce aside from the Steelers. He spent the primary 11 years of his profession with the Ravens, the place he was named Tremendous Bowl XLVII MVP in a win over the 49ers. The Bengals have two video games upcoming this season towards the Ravens, together with a Thanksgiving night time contest in Baltimore.
The Browns introduced again Flacco this previous offseason to supply veteran management to a crowded quarterback room that additionally included rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The 18-year veteran began Cleveland's first 4 video games this season earlier than being changed by Gabriel in Sunday's loss to the Vikings.
Flacco's departure from Cleveland might 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 primary 5 video games of the season.
The Browns listed Sanders as their No. 2 quarterback on Tuesday's unofficial depth chart for his or her upcoming sport towards Pittsburgh.
Sanders informed Fox 8 News in Cleveland that Flacco has helped ease his transition into the league, noting the veteran “understands the place I am at proper now.”
“He was undoubtedly someone I leaned on for knowledge, and I really feel like he helped me loads,” Sanders mentioned. “He helped me loads with my time being right here in Cleveland and his time being right here in Cleveland. Everyone has their very own destinies and have their very own plans. … I am simply completely happy for him.”
Bailey Zappe is at present on Cleveland's apply squad, and Deshaun Watson stays on the bodily unable to carry out listing as he rehabs from an Achilles harm.
ESPN's Ben Child and Daniel Oyefusi contributed to this report.
