The Cleveland Browns did not anticipate trading quarterback Joe Flacco, especially to a division rival. But that’s exactly what they did, dealing the 40-year-old quarterback to the Cincinnati Bengals, swapping a sixth rounder for a fifth rounder in the meantime.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski admitted that the move took the Browns by surprise. So, that begs the question: who called whom? The head coach revealed in his press conference today that it was the Bengals who initiated contact with the Browns first about the services of Flacco. Fed up with the play of current quarterback Jake Browning, the Bengals called the Browns, and the rest is history.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has already stated that Flacco will start this upcoming Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Flacco has already seen the Packers once this year, as the Browns defeated Green Bay in Week 3.
As a result, the Browns now hold three fifth round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, needing to add young and cost-controlled talent to their roster.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns did not initiate Joe Flacco trade talks with Bengals
Reporting by Cory Kinnan, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
