Cleveland Browns agree to trade Joe Flacco to struggling Cincinnati Bengals
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Cleveland Browns agree to trade Joe Flacco to struggling Cincinnati Bengals
Nate Davis, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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3 min read
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TheCincinnati Bengalshave apparently seen enough ofJake Browning− to the point where they've accepted help from their longtime in-state rivals.
Cincy has agreed to a trade with theCleveland Brownsfor former Super Bowl MVPJoe Flacco. TheBengalswill also obtain a sixth-round draft pick (originally owned by theDetroit Lions) while sending a fifth-rounder to Cleveland in exchange.
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The deal will become official once Flacco completes a physical. Backup quarterbackBrett Rypienwas released in a corresponding move.
The deal lands two days after the Lions beat the Bengals 37-24 at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati's third consecutive defeat − all since QB1Joe Burrowsuffered a toe injury in Week 2 that required surgery and will likely keep him out at least another two months.
Browning, who did an exceptional job taking over whenBurrow suffered a season-ending wrist injurymidway through the 2023 campaign, has not risen to the occasion this time around, throwing eight interceptions in three-plus games. The Bengals haven't even been competitive, their losses by an aggregate score of 113-37.
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18)makes a catch for a touchdownagainst the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
(Jeff Hanisch, Imagn Images)
Week 1: The New England Patriots' Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.
(Bob DeChiara, Imagn Images)
Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.
(Peter Casey, Imagn Images)
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18)makes a catch for a touchdownagainst the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
(Jeff Hanisch, Imagn Images)
1/4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18)makes a catch for a touchdownagainst the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
(Jeff Hanisch, Imagn Images)
2/4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: The New England Patriots' Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.
(Bob DeChiara, Imagn Images)
3/4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.
(Peter Casey, Imagn Images)
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
The mission awaiting Flacco, 40, is to keep Cincinnati afloat long enough to turn a relevant team back over to Burrow in the event he's able to return in December. Now in his 18th season, Flacco has passed for 46,512 yards and 259 touchdowns during stints with five different franchises. He put together a standout playoff run for theBaltimore Ravens, who drafted him 18th overall in 2008, on their way to winning Super Bowl 47 to cap the 2012 campaign.
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While Flacco isn't a threat to leave the pocket, he has loads of experience and an arm with plenty of juice − one that should leveragethe sizable offseason investment Cincinnati made in wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higginsearlier this year. Flacco has also long been a popular teammate and locker room presence, remaining a captain for the Browns last week even after he wasbenched for rookie Dillon Gabriel. Flacco's willingness to give his receivers chances to make plays will result in interceptions, but he'll now enjoy a far more capable corps of wideouts than he had in Cleveland.
The Bengals, a notoriously stingy franchise over the years, will only have to pay the prorated amount of Flacco's $1.3 million base salary this season. He will become a free agent again next March.
Flacco's departure also means rookieShedeur Sanderswill become the primary backup quarterback to fellow rookieGabriel, who made his first NFL start Sunday in London. Gabriel had the Browns in position to win, but they gave up a touchdown in the final minute, losing 21-17 to theMinnesota Vikings.
Cincinnati Bengals guard Dalton Risner and Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco
(Scott Galvin-Imagn Images)
Browns Joe Flacco (15) runs the ball during their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday September 7, 2025. The Bengals won the game with a final score of 17-16.
(Phil Didion/The Enquirer)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws in the first quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) talk after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. The Bengals begin the season with a 17-16 win over the Browns.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco just started practicing in advance of the 2017 season opener against the Bengals.
(Kareem Elgazzar)
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco get together after their game at Paul Brown Stadium.
(The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger)
Quarterback Joe Flacco
(Cliff Hawkins, Getty Images)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97) sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) in the first quarter during the Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
(Kareem Elgazzar,)
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See photos from NFL career of quarterback Joe Flacco, latest addition to Bengals roster
Cincinnati Bengals guard Dalton Risner and Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco
(Scott Galvin-Imagn Images)
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See photos from NFL career of quarterback Joe Flacco, latest addition to Bengals roster
Cincinnati Bengals guard Dalton Risner and Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco
(Scott Galvin-Imagn Images)
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See photos from NFL career of quarterback Joe Flacco, latest addition to Bengals roster
Browns Joe Flacco (15) runs the ball during their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday September 7, 2025. The Bengals won the game with a final score of 17-16.
(Phil Didion/The Enquirer)
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See photos from NFL career of quarterback Joe Flacco, latest addition to Bengals roster
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws in the first quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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See photos from NFL career of quarterback Joe Flacco, latest addition to Bengals roster
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) talk after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. The Bengals begin the season with a 17-16 win over the Browns.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
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See photos from NFL career of quarterback Joe Flacco, latest addition to Bengals roster
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco just started practicing in advance of the 2017 season opener against the Bengals.
(Kareem Elgazzar)
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See photos from NFL career of quarterback Joe Flacco, latest addition to Bengals roster
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco get together after their game at Paul Brown Stadium.
(The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger)
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See photos from NFL career of quarterback Joe Flacco, latest addition to Bengals roster
Quarterback Joe Flacco
(Cliff Hawkins, Getty Images)
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See photos from NFL career of quarterback Joe Flacco, latest addition to Bengals roster
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97) sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) in the first quarter during the Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
(Kareem Elgazzar,)
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