QB Joe Flacco is acquired by the Bengals from the Browns

Joe Flacco was acquired by the Cincinnati Bengals from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.

A fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft was also acquired by the Bengals from the Browns in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

A physical will be required before the trade is formally announced. It also comes a day after Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor informed reporters that, in light of Jake Browning’s significant struggles since taking Joe Burrow’s place due to injury, the team would assess its quarterbacking options.

The 29-year-old Browning of the Bengals (2-3) have lost three straight games after completing 64.5 percent of his passes for 757 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions in four games (three starts) this season. On Sunday, he threw three picks as Cincinnati lost to the Detroit Lions 37–24.

The Green Bay Packers (2-1-1) are the Bengals’ opponent on Sunday.

In anticipation of their game against the Minnesota Vikings last weekend, the Browns (1-4) switched from Flacco to rookie Dillon Gabriel.

With 93 of 160 passes (58.1 percent) completed, 40-year-old Flacco gained 815 yards and two touchdowns. His six interceptions are part of his eight turnovers.

Following his 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award with the Browns, he played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2024.

After spending his first 11 seasons with the Ravens (2008–18), Flacco subsequently played for the Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020–22), Browns (2023, 2025), and Colts (2024). Flacco was named MVP of Super Bowl XLVII with Baltimore in 2012.

Flacco is tied for 22nd place in passing touchdowns (259), 12th in pass completions (4,259), 13th in attempts (6,911), and 16th in yards (46,512) in NFL history.

Mike White, the quarterback, was cut from the practice squad earlier Tuesday by the Bengals.

On September 16, the 30-year-old White joined the Bengals’ practice squad.