by The Cincinnati Bengals have made a massive, mid-season shakeup in an attempt to salvage their 2025 season. Following a third consecutive loss without injured franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, the team announced a shocking intra-division move: the Bengals trade Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. This unexpected move signals the Bengals’ complete dissatisfaction with their current quarterback situation and a clear desire to bring a veteran presence to their struggling offense. The desperation was palpable in Cincinnati after a rough stretch, making the Bengals trade Joe Flacco a bold attempt to right the ship.
Cincinnati’s Quarterback Crisis Forces a Hand
The Cincinnati Bengals’ season spiraled downwards quickly after the injury to Joe Burrow, who is reportedly out with a severe turf toe injury that required surgery. Backup Jake Browning, who performed admirably in 2023, struggled significantly this season, throwing eight interceptions in four games, including three in the team’s most recent loss. This poor performance immediately put his starting job in jeopardy and made a move unavoidable. It was clear to coach Zac Taylor and the front office that the existing quarterback room could not support the team’s talented roster, accelerating the need for a Bengals trade Joe Flacco to a top priority.
The struggles of the offense with Browning under center were too much to bear for a team with high-profile receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. General Manager Duke Tobin made the rare choice to seek an in-season trade, a move the Bengals seldom execute. The veteran experience of the former Super Bowl MVP was deemed the necessary antidote to the offensive woes, cementing the decision for the pivotal Bengals trade Joe Flacco.
Details of the Intra-Division AFC North Swap
The trade details have been confirmed as an exchange of draft capital between the two AFC North rivals, a remarkably rare occurrence in the division’s history. The Cincinnati Bengals are acquiring Joe Flacco and a sixth-round draft pick in 2026. In return, the Cleveland Browns will receive a fifth-round pick, also in the 2026 draft. The Browns were willing to make the deal after benching Flacco, who started the season as their QB1, in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel after a 1-3 start. This intra-division deal is a testament to the Bengals’ urgency and the Browns’ willingness to pivot to their younger quarterback option, setting the stage for the now-official Bengals trade Joe Flacco.
Flacco’s tenure with the Browns in 2025 ended abruptly, as he completed just 58.1% of his passes with two touchdowns and six interceptions over four games, leading to his demotion. However, the Bengals are banking on the form that saw him win Comeback Player of the Year in 2023 and his immense career experience (195 career starts). The trade, which became official on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, according to multiple reports, is a high-stakes gamble for Cincinnati, hoping the veteran can tap into his Super Bowl-winning pedigree after the Bengals trade Joe Flacco.
What This Means for Cincinnati’s Playoff Hopes
Acquiring Joe Flacco is a clear signal that the Cincinnati Bengals are not giving up on their season. With Joe Burrow’s return not expected until mid-December at the earliest, Flacco is slated to take over the starting job immediately, with the goal of being ready for their Week 6 matchup against the Packers. The Bengals’ front office is betting on Flacco’s experience to stabilize the offense and utilize the talents of Chase and Higgins, whose production has plummeted without a consistent quarterback. This acquisition is a direct response to a difficult stretch, and the hope is that Flacco can provide the steady hand needed to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive.
The pressure is now squarely on the 40-year-old quarterback to quickly learn the playbook and produce in a new system. If he can manage the game and prevent the costly turnovers that plagued the offense under Browning, the Bengals have a chance to tread water until their star returns. For Cincinnati fans and the AFC North landscape, the impact of the Bengals trade Joe Flacco will be one of the most compelling storylines of the second half of the season. The Bengals need Flacco to deliver in a major way to make this bold move pay off after the Bengals trade Joe Flacco.
