For the first time in franchise history, the Cincinnati Bengals will have a Super Bowl MVP on their roster.
On Tuesday, the Bengals acquired quarterback Joe Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick. The move comes roughly 3 weeks after Cincinnati lost Joe Burrow (turf toe) for approximately 3 months.
Jake Browning, who filled in for Burrow back in 2023, has not resembled his 2023 form in Burrow’s place this year. The former Washington Husky has completed 64.5% of his passes (80/124) for 757 yards, 6 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Most of his good production has come after building massive deficits in the Bengals’ 3 consecutive losses to the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions.
Flacco’s numbers — 93/160 (58.1%), 815 yards, 2 TD, 6 INT — are similar, if not worse, than Browning’s. Regardless, Cincinnati needs to switch things up if there’s to be any hope of making the playoffs when Burrow is supposed to return. This move indicates Zac Taylor would rather have his job hitched to Flacco’s success than Browning’s. The Bengals travel to Green Bay to face the Packers in Week 7 (4:25 p.m. E.T., CBS).
