Browns trade Joe Flacco to Bengals

   The 1-4 Cleveland Browns must have seen something they really liked from Dillon Gabriel's debut in London, as the team traded veteran Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.

It's the first-ever trade between the two division rivals since 1968, when the Bengals entered the league as an expansion franchise, with the Browns sending a sixth-round draft choice to Cincinnati for the Bengals' fifth-rounder in the 2026 draft.

The trade concludes the second tenure for Flacco in Cleveland, after the veteran returned in the off-season after spending 2024 in Indianapolis with the Colts.

Flacco was regarded by many as the second horse in the veteran battle to start the season at quarterback behind Kenny Pickett, who suffered from injuries and was then traded to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Flacco was given the job almost by default, but was living on borrowed time in the lineup with the Browns' man-crush on Dillon Gabriel.

Flacco wasn't helped much by a pathetic receiving corps and poor play at both offensive tackles, but he didn't play well on his own, finishing with 810 yards, along with six interceptions and only two touchdowns in his four starts.

Cincinnati is missing Joe Burrow for much of the season with a toe injury, although he is expected to return late in the season. But after winning their two games with Burrow, the Bengals have dropped to 2-3 under reserve quarterback Jake Browning.

The Bengals are in the mode of trying to win enough to stay afloat until Burrow's return, and with a team that has standouts at receiver such as JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins, Flacco could perform well for the Bengals, assuming their line can give him enough time to throw.

Flacco could start for Cincinnati as early as Sunday in their game against Green Bay.

As for the Browns.

If they truly are all in on Dillon Gabriel and wish to give him the remainder of the season as an audition, then I don't question the move.

Why keep Flacco and you gain a fifth rounder for a sixth rounder for a player that isn't part of the future?

That I understand.

However, don't tell me you are trying to win games or that "Dillon gives us the best chance to win" narrative, because I'm not buying that.

I'm not saying Flacco gives you a better chance, but I think it's even money either way.

Cleveland promoted veteran Bailey Zappe from the practice squad to fill Flacco's roster spot and join Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the quarterback room, but there has been no word on the top backup to Gabriel.