Bengals trade for QB Joe Flacco ahead of matchup with Green Bay Packers

CINCINNATI — From foe to friend: The Cincinnati Bengals traded for quarterback Joe Flacco, a press release from the team.

The Bengals acquired both Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick from the Cleveland Browns for Cincinnati's 2026 fifth-round draft choice. The Bengals said they also released quarterback Brett Rypien.

“Joe is an experienced quarterback with a history of winning,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. “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.”

Flacco will likely replace Jake Browning as the Bengals' starter. While head coach Zac Taylor has been supportive of Browning since he took over in Week 2, he floated the possibility of a quarterback change during his press conference on Monday.

"We’ll see where it goes," Taylor said when asked if Browning will start against the Packers this week. "You know, I think like all personnel decisions, we’ve got to evaluate it. Jake’s been very accountable for how the game went for him. I’ve got to be accountable for how the game went for me as well. And so we’ll continue to progress here through the days."

Browning has thrown eight interceptions this season, second most in the league behind Raiders quarterback Geno Smith. And while Cincinnati started 2-0, its offense has struggled mightily in the following weeks, being outscored 113-37.

Cincinnati released quarterback Mike White from its practice squad Tuesday morning, leading many fans and analysts to believe a change was coming.

Now, 40-year-old Flacco will try to keep things afloat as the Bengals wait to see when Burrow will return from his toe turf injury.

In four weeks with the Browns, Flacco threw for two touchdowns and six interceptions. This will be the third AFC North team the former Super Bowl champ will start for in his long NFL career.