The Bengals are adding a veteran quarterback to the mix as they deal with the fallout of Joe Burrow’s toe injury.
Cincinnati acquired 40-year-old Joe Flacco and a sixth-round pick from the division-rival Browns for a fifth-rounder, the teams announced Tuesday, after Cleveland benched the former Super Bowl MVP for third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel on Sunday.
Fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders now stands to be Gabriel’s backup.
The Browns are trading Joe Flacco to the Bengals. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Bengals quarterback Jake Browning is tackled by the Lions on Oct. 5, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe Bengals have lost three straight with backup Jake Browning under center after Burrow got injured in a Week 2 win over the Jaguars, and Flacco is set to take over as Cincinnati’s starter.
Burrow had surgery to repair his turf toe and could be out for the rest of the regular season.
The Bengals lost 48-10 to the Vikings in Week 3 before falling 28-3 to the Broncos and 37-24 to the Lions.
Shedeur Sanders (12) now figures to be the Browns’ backup. Getty ImagesBrowning, 29, has thrown for 757 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions this season.
He was 26-for-40 with 251 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions on Sunday against the Lions, who led 28-3 entering the fourth quarter. Browning threw all three of his touchdowns in the fourth.
Flacco threw for 815 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions in four starts for the Browns this season before getting benched.
“Joe is an experienced quarterback with a history of winning,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said in a statement. “He is a leader with a skill set that will fit our personnel well. He is a gifted passer with a strong arm, and we are excited to have him on our team.”
In his first NFL start on Sunday, Gabriel was 19-for-33 with 190 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Vikings.
