The Cincinnati Bengals were not happy with what they were seeing from quarterback Jake Browning, so they did something about it on Tuesday. The Bengals made a deal with the Cleveland Browns, an AFC North Division foe, to pick up quarterback Joe Flacco.
Flacco was the Browns’ starting QB before getting benched in favor of second-string rookie Dillon Gabriel. After the trade was made, some people might have wondered why the teams did the deal. Well, Bengals coach Zac Taylor offered a little insight into it.
What Did Bengals Coach Say About Flacco Trade?
Taylor, who is trying to get Cincinnati right after five games in the 2025 NFL season, issued a statement on Tuesday post-trade.
“Joe is an experienced quarterback with a history of winning,” Taylor said, according to a post on X from Bengals reporter Charlie Goldsmith. “He is a leader with a skill set that will fit our personnel well. He is a gifted passer with a strong arm, and we are excited to have him on our team.”
In four games this season for Cleveland, which has a 1-4 overall record, Flacco had a 1-3 record as the team’s starting QB. He had a 58.1 percent completion rate, throwing two touchdown passes and six interceptions in his efforts. That wasn’t good enough for Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who took Flacco out in favor of the rookie QB.
The Bengals, currently 2-3 this season, have been trying to find a fill-in for starting quarterback Joe Burrow, who is out for a minimum of three months after undergoing surgery for his turf toe injury. Taylor probably hopes that Flacco, with his vast NFL experience, can come in and change Cincinnati’s QB woes into some positive energy.
Cincinnati started the 2025 NFL season with victories over the Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars, but has lost three straight to the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and Detroit Lions. Browning just wasn’t getting the job done, and Taylor wants to position his team for a playoff spot, even if it meant making a move within the division itself.
The Browns traded Joe Flacco yesterday and it frees up the rookie QBs. Should they have brought him back at all?
Rizz breaks it down… pic.twitter.com/uqK5HudSun
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 8, 2025
Some people wondered why the Bengals didn’t pick up a more youthful quarterback. Cincinnati’s offensive line is not doing a good job of protecting their signal-caller this season. Flacco is an 18-year veteran of the NFL, having spent 11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, winning a Super Bowl. After leaving Charm City, Flacco played for the Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and was twice a part of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
This trade between the Bengals and Browns also opens up the possibility of Shedeur Sanders seeing more time in NFL games should Gabriel not perform well. On the updated Browns depth chart, Gabriel is at No. 1 and Sanders is at No. 2. Who’s listed at No. 3? Deshaun Watson and he’s not playing this season.
It’s all in Flacco’s hands now in Cincinnati. Taylor hopes the trade pays off for the team quickly.