By Katy Korstange, Newswire Intern 

The Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) acquired quarterback Joe Flacco in a trade with the Cleveland Browns (1-5) on Oct. 7 in an attempt to save their deteriorating season after starter Joe Burrow was ruled out for at least three months due to turf toe.  

Flacco joined the Bengals after their third straight loss with replacement quarterback Jake Browning. The Bengals hope that this trade will keep them in contention for the postseason while Burrow is on injury reserve.  

A graduate of the University of Delaware, Flacco is in his 18^th year in the NFL. In 2008, he was a first-round draft pick to the Baltimore Ravens. He was the starting quarterback for the Ravens from 2008-2018, starting 195 times. Flacco helped to lead them to the Super Bowl six times during his time with the team and was named Super Bowl XLVII MVP after a win over the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. 

Flacco played for the Denver Broncos in 2019, but his time there was cut short due to a neck injury. Later, he moved to the New York Jets from 2020-2022 where he was primarily a backup quarterback. 

In 2023, Flacco moved to the Browns and was crucial in leading them to the playoffs for the first time in three years. This performance awarded him the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award. 

He joined the Colts in 2024 and played in six games and started five of them. He completed 65.3% of his passes with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Following this, he went back to the Browns at the start of the 2025 season.  

Flacco started the first four games for the Browns and completed 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards. He was benched ahead of week five in favor of rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. It was after this that he was traded to the Bengals.  

“I think Joe Flacco going to the Bengals is not only a bad play for the Browns but also a bad play for the Bengals,” first-year biology major Marianna Nykaza said. “As a Browns fan, I just can’t support the move.” 

This trade is the first between the in-state rivals since the Browns returned to the NFL. The Bengals’ hope is that Flacco’s 18-years of quarterback experience will be an asset to the team until Burrow is able to play again. 

Flacco’s biggest concern, however, should be the Bengals’ offensive line. This season, they have allowed 87 quarterback pressures and were part of the reason for Burrow’s injury in week 2.  

“I think there’s a better chance he (Flacco) ends up in a casket than he ends up playing the rest of the season because their O-line is one of the worst in the league,” freshman Finance major Brody McConnell said.  

On Sunday, Flacco started for the Bengals in their sixth game of the season against the Green Bay Packers after only four practices with the team. Fans were hopeful as Flacco led the Browns to victory against the same team earlier in the season. 

Despite the close loss, his performance showed promise, especially in the second half. In total, he threw 219 yards and two touchdowns.   

The Flacco trade has given some Cincinnati fans a confidence boost as the Bengals go into week seven with a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) on Thursday night.