Flacco, who is 40 years old and stands 6’6″ (198 cm) tall, began the 2025 season as the Browns’ starting quarterback. However, after a disappointing 1-3 start and struggles on offense—Cleveland failed to score more than 17 points in any of his four starts—head coach Kevin Stefanski made the decision to bench Flacco in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. Flacco’s individual statistics reflected the team’s offensive woes: he completed just 58.1% of his passes, averaged 5.1 yards per attempt, threw two touchdowns, and had six interceptions in those starts. Despite his recent struggles, Flacco remains a notable presence, having thrown for over 46,000 career passing yards and won a Super Bowl during his time with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Browns, now left with two rookie quarterbacks—Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders—opted to trade Flacco to the Bengals in exchange for a late-round draft pick swap. This move further signals Cleveland’s commitment to rebuilding with younger talent, especially after also trading veteran Kenny Pickett to the Raiders earlier in the preseason. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson remains on the Browns’ roster but is still recovering from a second Achilles tendon rupture.
For the Bengals, the acquisition of Flacco comes at a critical juncture. The team started the season with a 2-3 record, and previous starter Jake Browning struggled to consistently connect with offensive weapons like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown. Cincinnati hopes that Flacco’s experience and track record of competent play—as demonstrated during his stints with the Browns and the Indianapolis Colts—can help stabilize the offense and fuel a push for the playoffs in a division that remains up for grabs. Notably, the Pittsburgh Steelers currently lead the AFC North at 3-1, while the Bengals sit in second place ahead of both the Browns and the struggling Baltimore Ravens.
Flacco’s journey has been remarkable, from being drafted 18th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 to now playing for his fourth team. Over his 200-game career, he has thrown for 259 touchdowns and led a Super Bowl run, earning the nickname “Joe Cool” during his days in Baltimore. His leadership and experience could prove invaluable for a Bengals team looking to reclaim its status as a playoff contender.
For more detailed statistics and updates on Joe Flacco’s career and the Bengals’ season outlook, check out Joe Flacco’s Pro Football Reference profile and the latest coverage on NFL.com.