Joe Flacco admitted he didn’t see it coming, but the veteran quarterback is embracing his new start in Cincinnati after being traded from the Cleveland Browns to the division-rival Bengals.
Flacco is set to start for the Bengals on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers after Monday’s trade. He’s adjusting to a new playbook and teammates, but the 40-year-old is eager to get another chance to prove himself.
“I feel like I have a lot to offer to a football team. I feel like I’ve put in a lot of work my whole life to get to this point,” Flacco said on Friday in his first media availability since the trade. “You only get a chance to play in the NFL once. I don’t want to take that for granted. I still can play this game at a high level.
“That’s what I play for, to win football games and help everybody be at their best. I hope I can come in here and give these guys my best and elevate us as much as I possibly can.”
Browns, Joe Flacco Surprised by Trade
The Browns benched Flacco after a 1-3 start in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. Despite losing his spot on the depth chart, Flacco was still surprised by the trade.
“Crazy business. You have to be ready for anything. That’s what it was,” Flacco said. “I didn’t have this on my list of things that were going to happen. But that’s this league. I’m a player and most players would say the same thing. I love to play football. If that’s in Cincinnati right now, I’m all for it.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski also admitted that he was surprised by the trade.
“Well, first I have to tell you is that the Joe trade took us by surprise,” Stefanski said. “That was not something that we saw coming. They called us and it happened very fast and happened not too long ago. Still working through all roster type of things. I always have to be mindful of our players and our players’ development and I want to make sure that I’m always doing what’s best for our players and, of course, our team.”
Flacco will now be looking to build chemistry with two elite wide receivers in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. It’s a more talented arsenal than what he had available in Cleveland.
“If you can’t throw to them and get on the same page with them, then you’re in trouble,” Flacco said.
Browns Officially Name Shedeur Sanders Backup
The trade of Flacco opened the path for Shedeur Sanders to be named the backup to Gabriel. After some speculation that practice squad QB Bailey Zappe could jump Sanders, the Browns made that decision official on Friday.
“Shedeur will be the backup,” Stefanski said. “I’m always thinking about our players and what’s best for our players. And I want to make sure when it comes to young football players, particularly at the quarterback position, that you are intentional about your decision-making, and that’s really all it is. So excited for all of our guys.”
The move puts pressure on Gabriel, although he’s at no risk of losing his grip on the starting job soon unless he struggles mightily. He’ll draw his second career start on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a key divisional matchup.
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