Big news from our friends the Cincinnati Bengals! They’ve decided that Joe Flacco will be their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. As noted, the team has traded for Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. The move, the first major trade made by new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, cost the Vikings a future fifth-round draft choice in 2026 and brought the veteran quarterback and a sixth-round pick back to Minnesota.
The trade would be a surprising, albeit aggressive, move by the Bengals. More recently, they’ve found themselves in dire straits, heading into a three-game losing streak. Coach Zac Taylor is 100 percent on board with the trade. He thinks Flacco’s experience will be the most critical resource in guiding the team back to playoff contention. Flacco, at the age of 40, is looking to fully submerge himself in his new surroundings. He’s lucky in how he’s preparing for challenges ahead.
Flacco, who signed the Bengals’ practice squad, will wear jersey No. 16. He takes on a position that he has been deeply familiar with. It will be the second time in four weeks that he’s going up against the Packers. In his first start, Flacco led the Browns to an upset road victory over Green Bay in Week 3, winning 13-10. In that particular matchup, he took to the pressure like a duck to water. That game, he went 31-of-45, with 290 yards and a touchdown to go with two interceptions. Flacco didn’t fare much better against the Bengals earlier this season, ultimately losing in a close 17-16 matchup and putting up statlines that were similar. The insider knowledge of both teams would put him in a stronger position.
Despite the change, Coach Taylor has promised fans that Flacco will get plenty of practice time in before the game. He highlighted just how important that preparation is during this critical point of the season. Browns head coach Kevin Taylor was thrilled to have Flacco on board. From the sound of it, their new arrival will be a central part of the team’s plan to turn around their recent slide.
Flacco’s addition is an important stopgap. Beyond that, it’s a smart tactic to bolster a team that’s making an unexpected push for a playoff berth. The Bengals have faced challenges recently, and adding a quarterback with Flacco’s experience could provide stability and leadership on the field.
All of us at TEGNA are looking forward to Sunday’s match up! Flacco hasn’t talked to reporters so far, but he still has a chance to talk before the matchup with the Packers. The Bengals are banking on his presence to reenergize their offense and provide them the desperately needed shot of innovation.
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