Joe Flacco is now entering the locker room of the third AFC North team of his career. The stalwart Super Bowl champion for the Baltimore Ravens had a second act with the Cleveland Browns which included earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2023. Flacco has now been traded to the Bengals to take the helm for an ailing Bengals attack that misses the injured Joe Burrow greatly.
Trade: Browns are trading QB Joe Flacco and a 6th-round pick to the Bengals for a 5th-round pick. pic.twitter.com/VbIorM9985
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2025
What The Joe Flacco Trade Means For The Bengals
The Bengals are 2-3 and in second place in a subpar AFC North in 2025. Pittsburgh, with 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers under center, is in first place at 3-1 with the Browns and Ravens posting 1-4 last place records through Week 5.
Here’s the thing: Every chance you have to get into the playoffs with someone like Joe Burrow at quarterback is gold. And so if Joe Flacco gives Cincinnati a shot to sneak into a depleted AFC bracket with Burrow back in the saddle, then the price here is steal.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 7, 2025
This division is up for grabs, and fans hope Flacco can create magic with the Bengals stud receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, a wish already manifested on social media by ex-Bengals WR Chad Ochocino Johnson.
Joe Flacco, throw it to Chase & Higgins‼️
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) October 7, 2025
A concern for the 40-year-old Flacco will be pass protection, an issue that has plagued Burrow throughout his Bengals career.
The Bengals face the Green Bay Packers in Week 6 at Lambeau. It is unclear if Flacco will be ready to play or if Jake Browning will continue as QB1. Flacco already beat the Packers this season as the Browns QB1 in the only win the Browns have so far this season.
What The Joe Flacco Trade Means For The Browns
The Browns are officially entering the Dillon Gabriel era with Shedeur Sanders waiting in the wings. Bailey Zappe is on the practice squad.
There could also be a Deshaun Watson appearance on the roster at some point in the season as he is reportedly in the latter stages of recovery from his Achilles injury.
It also means that the Browns have not found any quarterback stability to speak of since the team traded Baker Mayfield in March 2022 for Watson.
