A significant trade has left the Cleveland Browns without their starting quarterback, and all for what? A chance to get a better draft pick is that even worth it? It was worth it for the Cincinnati Bengals because they acquired Joe Flacco and actually beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s never smart to trade within your division; Karma always finds its way back.
Every team for itself, and now that this trade happened, the Browns are entirely on their own. The reason teams rarely trade within the same division is that they face that team twice in a season, and having an old player on a rival team could give the opposing team a leg up.
Cleveland Browns In Warm Waters After Joe Flacco Trade
Most people are very upset about Joe Flacco being traded within the same division. You just don’t do that. The Cleveland Browns have just given the Cincinnati Bengals a competitive advantage. Usually, teams try to trade outside their own division to make it apparent that they aren’t helping other teams with some of their good players.
Another reason a team might trade a player in the same division is to tank. Did the Browns really do this to get a fifth-round draft pick? The Bengals were in desperate need of a quarterback, and the Browns definitely knew that. So to make this trade, they just gave their rival exactly what they needed to stay alive and prosper.
Flacco impressively led the Bengals down the field successfully in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was a very close game, but having Flacco remain calm under pressure and read the defense well is the type of veteran leadership this team needed.
The Browns’ chances are slowly dwindling. It’s no wonder people are questioning the trade; the Browns’ offense is currently ranked 31st in the NFL, according to the PFSN Offense Impact metric, with a disappointing F grade.
It’s not looking good for this team because Joe Burrow will heal and return better than ever for the Bengals. Now, during this interim, they have a competent quarterback to keep them afloat.
Even the Steelers’ coach, Mike Tomlin, commented on the trade. “It doesn’t make sense to trade a (starting) quarterback… to a division opponent”
“It doesn’t make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening day starter to a divisional opponent that’s hurting in that area”
Mike Tomlin just ripped the Browns for the Joe Flacco trade
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 13, 2025
The Steelers played the Bengals in a game, so having the opposing side question the trade and leaving everyone, including every team, scratching their heads, was a notable development.
Browns GM Andrew Berry is paying eight quarterbacks, but only two are on the roster. A lot of dead money is circulating. Berry had all the time in the world to turn around his team, as he had been with them for five years.
The Browns never really had a fair shot, being dealt bad hands with an inconsistent offense and quarterback changes. It’s the same record, or maybe even worse, this season; something needs to change if the Browns want any chance of success this year. The Brown fans deserve better.
