On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals shocked the NFL world with their inter-divisional trade involving Joe Flacco. Trading between divisional opponents is extremely rare, and it’s even rarer when it consists of a quarterback set to start for his new team.
While the trade sent shock waves around the NFL, the Bengals fanbase was among the most shocked. However, much of that surprise was negative, as Bengals fans took to social media to express their frustration with the direction the team went at the quarterback position.
How Have the Bengals Fans Reacted to the Joe Flacco Trade?
The Bengals were in a predicament with Joe Burrow on injured reserve and not expected to return until December at the earliest. Jake Browning took over for Burrow but struggled mightily in four games and three starts, with a 0-3 record, six touchdown passes, and eight interceptions.
While many fans wanted the team to inquire about New York Giants quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson, or Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, the team went a different direction. Cleveland traded Flacco and a sixth-round pick to the Bengals in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
Flacco was the 35th-ranked quarterback out of 37 qualified quarterbacks in PFSN’s QB impact score, with a score of 53.7 (F). Meanwhile, Browning ranks dead last (37) with a QBi score of 50.6 (F). While the Bengals improved, according to the QBi metric, thus far this season, their improvement was only marginal.
The outrage was quickly seen from Bengals and NFL fans immediately after the trade went down.
“Joe Flacco over Jameis Winston is a fireable acquisition,” said one fan, Cabe Bond. “Flacco loves the TE and shallow RB throws? So, you’re choosing to prioritize Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant over Chase and Higgins. Not to mention, you traded with a division rival. Get Zac Taylor out of there.”
Joe Flacco over Jameis Winston is a fireable acquisition.
Flacco loves the TE and shallow RB throws? So you’re choosing to prioritize Mike Gesecki and Noah Fant over Chase and Higgins.
Not to mention, you traded with a division rival. Get Zac Taylor out of there. https://t.co/lqOcXm4hVu
— Cabe Bond (@PrezBond) October 7, 2025
The Bengals’ offense is built around their two explosive playmakers at the wide receiver position, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Flacco’s age and lack of mobility, combined with the weakness of the Bengals’ offensive line, could make it difficult for Cincinnati to move the ball downfield.
Winston appears to have been the top choice of all the options that fans wanted.
“Wanted Jameis and got old man Joe instead,” said another Bengals fan.
Wanted Jameis and got old man Joe instead 😂 https://t.co/rbsfhNcAGD
— T2 (@_slavetothegame) October 7, 2025
The former Florida State quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick has shown inconsistency throughout his career, but has also demonstrated stretches of dominance. While he is prone to turnovers, Winston is not afraid to throw the ball downfield. He had a season where he led the NFL in passing yards with 5,109 and also threw 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.
While he has his flaws, many fans found it exciting to add a gunslinger to an offense that features two of the top wide receivers in the NFL.
“He would have thrown for 500 yards a game, and the Bengals would still miss the playoffs, but at least it’d be fun to watch,” another NFL fan tweeted.
Shoulda gotten Jameis. He would have thrown for 500 yards a game, and the Bengals would still miss the playoffs, but at least it’d be fun to watch. https://t.co/e9fi0lEfqR
— Gustavo🐝🇺🇸🇲🇽🦍 (@amparan_gustavo) October 7, 2025
While this sentiment may not be how Bengals fans feel, this is the common thinking for many non-Bengals fans. Fantasy football has become so massive that many fans want big, explosive outputs to have good fantasy performances from the top players, such as Chase and Higgins. Winston provided gaudy stat lines from players such as Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, and Cedric Tillman in 2024, and fans hoped he would get an opportunity to do so for the Bengals in 2025.
From head coach Zac Taylor to owner Mike Brown to the organization as a whole, nobody was off limits from getting blamed on social media after the trade.
“Mike Brown was too cheap to pay for a flight in for Jameis Winston,” said another Bengals fan. “Instead, we get Joe Flacco on a Greyhound bus from Cleveland. Neither matters, season over.”
Mike Brown was too cheap to pay for a flight in for Jameis Winston. Instead we get Joe Flacco on a Greyhound bus from Cleveland. Neither matters, season over. pic.twitter.com/ID3TIzu8BQ
— Be Me (@TheHorseMachine) October 7, 2025
The jabs at owner Mike Brown are an extension of fans’ feelings over the last few off-seasons. He has received backlash for waiting to extend Chase, his handling of the Trey Hendrickson situation, and Shemar Stewart’s rookie contract.
Time will tell if the team acquires the 40-year-old veteran as their stopgap option in Joe Burrow’s absence. While the fans may not like it, he is the player who will take over under center for Cincinnati, perhaps as early as Week six on the road against the Green Bay Packers.
