CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 07: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns embrace after the game during the game at Huntington Bank Field on September 07, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Cole Sullivan

By Cole Sullivan

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In desperate need of a quarterback change after losing three straight games with backup Jake Browning under center, the Cincinnati Bengals made their move on Tuesday.

After going 0-3 with Browning as the starter and turning the ball over at a rapid rate, the Bengals acquired veteran QB Joe Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a fifth-round selection.

Flacco started the first four games of the season for the Browns, but after going 1-3, he was benched in favor of rookie QB Dillon Gabriel. Now, he’s heading across state lines in a rare in-division trade.

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The expectation is for Flacco, 40, a veteran with a long history of big-game experience, wins and a Super Bowl championship, to start on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, if he’s ready. When he does start, he’ll be making NFL history.

According to CBS Sports’ Doug Clawson, Flacco is set to become the first quarterback age 40 or older to start for two different NFL franchises in the same season.

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 07: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns embrace after the game during the game at Huntington Bank Field on September 07, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Bengals head coach Zac Taylor spoke to reporters about the team’s move to acquire Flacco on Tuesday.

“Joe is an experienced quarterback with a history of winning,” Taylor said. “He is a leader with a skill set that fits our personnel well. He is a gifted passer with a strong arm, and we are excited to have him on our team.”

In a corresponding roster change just hours after the trade was finalized, the Bengals released backup quarterback Brett Rypien, likely signaling that Browning will move back to the second-string role for the foreseeable future.

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