The Cleveland Browns’ Bold Move: Trading Joe Flacco to the Bengals

The Cleveland Browns recently made a shocking trade that sent shockwaves through the NFL. In the midst of the ongoing quarterback carousel that has plagued their franchise, the Browns traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, along with a sixth-round pick, to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a fifth-round pick. The deal itself is intriguing on many levels, especially considering the history and circumstances surrounding both teams involved. With the Bengals desperate for a solution at quarterback after the struggles of Jake Browning, this trade raises questions about the Browns’ confidence in their quarterback room and what the future holds for their young quarterbacks.

The Trade: A Closer Look

At first glance, this trade seems peculiar. Joe Flacco, the 40-year-old quarterback, is hardly the solution to Cincinnati’s quarterback woes. After all, Flacco was benched by the Browns in favor of rookie Dylan Gabriel just weeks earlier. In four games with Cleveland, Flacco struggled, completing just 58.1% of his passes, throwing two touchdowns, and more concerningly, six interceptions. His passer rating was a mere 60.3, one of the lowest in the league. The Browns’ decision to move on from Flacco was a no-brainer.

So, why would the Bengals, in the middle of a quarterback disaster, go after a player who couldn’t keep his job with a division rival? The answer lies in Cincinnati’s dire situation. With Jake Browning at the helm, the Bengals had endured a catastrophic run of games, losing to teams like the Detroit Lions and suffering the indignity of being outscored 76-13 over the past two weeks. Browning, once seen as a competent backup, has been far from effective, throwing eight interceptions in four games and completing passes at a disturbingly low rate.

The Jake Browning Disaster

Jake Browning’s struggles are at the core of this trade. Once a capable backup, Browning stepped in admirably for Joe Burrow last season, posting a respectable 4-3 record. But in 2025, the wheels came off for Browning. He threw for a mere 140 yards in one start and 125 in another, with a passer rating hovering around 66.6. The Bengals, as a team, simply couldn’t compete with him under center. With Browning’s lackluster performances and mounting turnovers, Cincinnati’s front office knew it needed to make a move to salvage the season.

The Bengals’ management decided to acquire Joe Flacco not because of his stellar performance but because of his vast experience. Flacco, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, may not have the physical tools he once had, but he brings invaluable experience. He has been a starter in some of the most critical games in the NFL, and the Bengals believe that his knowledge of AFC North defenses and his experience in big moments could help steady the ship, even if only temporarily. In essence, Flacco could offer a sense of stability in an otherwise chaotic quarterback room.

The Browns’ Confidence in Gabriel

For the Browns, this trade signals a clear shift in their quarterback strategy. With Flacco now out of the picture, rookie Dylan Gabriel is firmly entrenched as the team’s starting quarterback. The Browns are betting on Gabriel’s potential and his ability to lead the team moving forward. Gabriel, a third-round pick from Oregon, had a solid debut in Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings, completing 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. While the Browns lost that game, Gabriel showed enough promise to make the team comfortable with the decision to roll with him as the starter.

Gabriel’s quick release and football IQ were highlighted as key factors in his early success. In his debut, he displayed impressive efficiency despite a struggling offensive line, completing 12 of 17 attempts for 100 yards and two scores in the quick passing game. While Gabriel’s performance wasn’t perfect, especially with the Browns’ poor third-down efficiency, he put the team in a competitive position against a tough Vikings defense. With Flacco now gone, Gabriel’s spot as the starting quarterback is secure—at least for the time being.

However, the trade also adds pressure to Gabriel’s situation. With Flacco gone, the Browns no longer have the safety net of a veteran backup quarterback. If Gabriel struggles, there is no going back to Flacco. Instead, the next man up is none other than Shadour Sanders, the highly hyped fifth-round pick who has been a constant topic of discussion in the media despite being the team’s third-string quarterback.

The Shadour Sanders Factor

Shadour Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has been one of the most talked-about players in this year’s draft class. Despite being drafted in the fifth round, Sanders’ journey to the NFL has generated significant media attention. His high-profile status has led to calls from fans and analysts alike, urging the Browns to give him a shot ahead of Gabriel.

While Sanders has yet to play in a regular-season game, his presence looms large in the quarterback room. Gabriel may be the starter for now, but Sanders is waiting in the wings, and his fanbase is growing by the day. The pressure on Gabriel is immense, especially given that Sanders’ every move is scrutinized on social media and in sports debates.

Gabriel vs. Sanders: A Battle for the Future

The dynamic between Gabriel and Sanders is fascinating, especially when you consider how the Browns have handled their quarterback situation in recent years. Despite Gabriel’s solid debut, the truth remains that he was selected in the third round, a tier below the highly touted Sanders. If Gabriel falters, the calls for Sanders to start will only intensify. The Browns, who are desperate to find their quarterback of the future, know that every start matters.

As of now, Gabriel has a leg up on Sanders, having won the backup job during training camp. Gabriel’s experience and football acumen made him the clear choice for the Browns’ QB2 spot, but the pressure is mounting. If he continues to show promise, the Browns will be more inclined to stick with him. However, if his performances take a turn for the worse, the team may feel compelled to give Sanders a shot, and the dynamic between the two could shift in an instant.

The Bigger Picture: Cleveland’s Quarterback Quandary

This trade also highlights the Browns’ ongoing quarterback dilemma. With Deshaun Watson out for the season due to an Achilles injury, the Browns are left with two quarterbacks—Gabriel and Sanders—who were drafted in later rounds, both hoping to become the franchise’s long-term solution. The trade of Joe Flacco suggests that the Browns are fully committed to evaluating these young quarterbacks. Whether Gabriel or Sanders proves to be the future remains to be seen, but the pressure on both is undeniable.

In addition to Gabriel and Sanders, the Browns also hold two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which could be used to address their quarterback situation once again. If neither Gabriel nor Sanders pans out, the Browns will have the opportunity to draft a top-tier quarterback and finally solve their long-standing QB problem.

The Bengals’ All-In Bet

On the other side of the trade, the Bengals are hoping that Flacco can provide a spark and give them some stability at the quarterback position while they await Joe Burrow’s return. The Bengals are in a win-now mode, and Flacco’s experience could help them navigate through the tough AFC North. However, Flacco’s age and decline in performance raise significant questions about whether he can truly turn the Bengals’ season around.

In some ways, this trade mirrors past intra-division trades that didn’t work out well for the team acquiring the veteran. The most notable example is the 2010 trade that saw Donovan McNabb move from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Washington Redskins. McNabb, at the time, was coming off a Pro Bowl season but was traded within the division due to the Eagles’ belief that he was on the decline. McNabb struggled in Washington, and the trade ultimately didn’t pan out for the Redskins. The same logic applies here—trading for an aging quarterback within the division is a risky move that typically signals that the team making the trade doesn’t view the player as a serious long-term solution.

Conclusion

The Cleveland Browns’ trade of Joe Flacco to the Bengals is a move that raises more questions than answers. While the Bengals are desperate for a solution at quarterback, the trade for Flacco, a 40-year-old veteran who couldn’t hold onto the starting job with the Browns, is a risky proposition. On the other hand, the Browns have made it clear that they are all-in on evaluating their young quarterbacks, Dylan Gabriel and Shadour Sanders. With Flacco now out of the picture, Gabriel’s performance is under the microscope, and any struggles will immediately bring Sanders’ name to the forefront.

As the AFC North continues to evolve, this trade has added another layer of intrigue to an already chaotic division. With the Bengals attempting to salvage their season and the Browns in search of their future quarterback, the stakes are higher than ever. The 2025 NFL season is shaping up to be a wild ride, and this trade is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting year in the AFC North.