The Cleveland Browns are trading Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, just a week after benching the 40-year-old veteran.
The Browns are sending Flacco and a sixth-round pick to the Bengals in exchange for a fifth-round pick, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Cincinnati is desperate for a new direction at quarterback with Joe Burrow sidelined with a turf toe injury that could have him miss the remainder of the season. It’s the first trade between the Browns and Bengals since Cleveland returned to the NFL in 1999.
The Bengals see an opportunity to remain competitive in the wide-open AFC North. Cincinnati has lost three in a row after winning its first two, but is just one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jake Browning has filled in for Burrow since the injury, throwing for 757 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions over four games. He’s also been sacked nine times during that span. Bengals coach Zac Taylor opened the door on a quarterback change following a 37-24 loss to the Detroit Lions.
“We’ll see where it goes. You know, I think like all personnel decisions, we’ve got to evaluate it,” Taylor said when asked if Browning will start on Sunday. “Jake’s been very accountable for how the game went for him. I’ve got to be accountable for how the game went for me as well. And so we’ll continue to progress here through the days.”
The Bengals and Browns faced off to open the season, with Cincy winning 17-16. The sides will see each other again on Jan. 4.
Joe Flacco Struggled With Browns
Now, with Flacco under center, the Bengals add an 18-year veteran who’s made more than 200 career starts. Flacco reunited with the Browns this offseason and earned the starting job out of training camp after competing with Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and Kenny Pickett. Pickett suffered a hamstring injury early in camp and was later traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, paving the way for Flacco to take over.
Flacco went 1-3 as the starter in Cleveland, with the Browns averaging just 14 points per game under his command. He threw for 815 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions, and also lost two fumbles — one of which was returned for a touchdown.
The Browns announced the decision to bench Flacco ahead of Week 5, making the move to go with Gabriel.
“This is not about one person. Joe is a captain of this football team. We’re going to need his leadership going forward, as always,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “[Dillon’s] handled everything well since he’s been on campus here. So just gonna have to support the young man.”
Browns Have Decision to Make With Shedeur Sanders
With Flacco now out of the picture and the quarterback depth chart narrowed down, the Browns will have to make a decision on Shedeur Sanders. The polarizing passer has served as the emergency quarterback on game days, only able to enter the game if both Flacco and Gabriel were injured.
Many expected Sanders to be promoted to the No. 2 spot after Flacco was benched, but the Browns opted to keep the veteran as the primary backup.
Cleveland also has Bailey Zappe stashed on the practice squad, while Deshaun Watson continues to make progress in his recovery from a twice-ruptured Achilles. Watson is trending in the right direction but remains at least a few weeks away from returning to the field. The Browns face the Steelers this week.
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