Cincinnati Bengals Acquisition of Joe Flacco An Attempt to Resuscitate Offense

Photo: Joe Flacco as quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. Flacco, 40, was acquired on October 7 by the Cincinnati Bengals. Photo credit: Ron Schwane, Associated Press.

The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-3 and have scored just 85 points in five games. They have also lost three consecutive games, trounced by the Minnesota Vikings 48-10, the Denver Broncos 28-3, and the Detroit Lions 38-27. Superstar wideout Ja’marr Chase only has 32 catches for 374 yards on the season. Running back Chase Brown is only averaging 2.5 yards per carry and has only run for 160 yards. The defense allows the third-most yards per game in the NFL (391.2) and gives up 31.2 points per game, also third-worst. The offensive line has allowed 15 sacks so far in 2025, which is tied for the fifth-most in the NFL. 

The biggest obstacle for the Bengals has been replacing Joe Burrow, who was injured in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars after suffering a Grade 3 turf toe injury. Burrow prior to his injury had completed 21-of-36 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. In his place has been 29-year-old Jake Browning, who in four games has passed for 757 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. 

On Tuesday, October 7, the Bengals traded a 2026 fifth-round draft choice to their in-state rival Cleveland Browns in exchange for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round draft choice. 

Flacco, 40, has thrown for 815 yards this season with two touchdowns and six interceptions and a quarterback rating of 60.3. He has been sacked nine times in four games. Despite his poor showing thus far in 2025, he did have a winning record in 2023 while quarterbacking the Browns - 4-1 in five starts, a completion percentage of 60.3 and 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. 

On Wednesday, Bengals’ head coach Zach Taylor said that Flacco will start on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers, 2-1-1, are coming off a bye week, their last game being a 40-40 tie against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. 

The Bengal offensive line on Sunday afternoon will need to up their level of play as they go against Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary, two Pro Bowl players. It might be a tough start in Cincinnati for Flacco, but at least the team now has a veteran quarterback who can get the ball to the likes of Chase and Tee Higgins. Brown’s play should get better as well now playing with a more capable quarterback.