Flacco to Cincinnati: Another Browns Fumble?

The business side of professional sports can be the bane of fans’ existence. Case in point: Sunday, the Cleveland Browns once again imploded and lost a game they were on the road to winning. By most standards, that loss lands on the shoulders of head coach Kevin Stefanski.

So, of course, the most logical response would be to… trade the Super Bowl champion backup quarterback for a fifth-round pick.

Umm, okay. Sure, we all saw Dillon Gabriel toss a pair of TDs with no picks in a loss to the Vikings. His inaugural start went well, even though it ended in a loss.

But did Gabriel’s solid start automatically put Flacco on the next flight out of Cleveland? It definitely gave the powers that be some confidence to make a move. Clearly, Flacco has not met Cleveland’s expectations—realistic or otherwise. After joining the Browns mid-season in 2023, Flacco breathed life into a sputtering offense and led the Browns to a Wild Card berth. When he came back to Cleveland for the 2025 season, he sparked hope that he would repeat his 2023 Comeback Player of the Year performance. Unfortunately, that was not in the cards.

Count the Cost

The Flacco trade didn’t cost Cincinnati much. They are getting a stabilizing veteran presence (and a sixth-round pick) for a fifth-round selection. Way to drive a hard bargain, Jimmy. At least he didn’t try to toss in the Muni Lot. Who needs stability when you have youthful enthusiasm and inexperience? (And a $92 million albatross hanging around the neck.)

Cleveland’s depth at quarterback took a hit from this trade. Gabriel looked competent in London, but there is a lot of football left to play in 2025. It remains to be seen if Shedeur Sanders is ready to be the next man up if Gabriel falters or sustains an injury. Technically, Deshaun Watson is on the squad, and Bailey Zappe isn’t gone from the team. So, there’s our four-man quarterback room.

The Cleveland Browns are understandably pleased with this season’s rookie class, which many are calling one of—if not the—best of the season. The rookies have been impactful for the team, even if none line up under center. Quinshon Judkins, Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, and Harold Fannin make a great case for rookie dominance.

Remember that the depth of the 2026 quarterback class points toward the 2025 season serving as a proving ground for Gabriel and Sanders. What better way to see what your first-year QB is made of than tossing them to the wolves in a season where you are already unfurling the white flag?

Holding two first-round picks for 2026—and stocking up on more—seems to signal another chapter in the never-ending saga of “Rebuilding the Cleveland Browns.”

There’s no need to ponder the question: how many times can a team rebuild in a quarter of a century? Just some simple math provides the answer: 41 quarterbacks times 20 losing seasons to the infinite power of heartache squared.

Any Winners Here?

As trades go, there was not a great deal of shock. At most, we are looking at a collection of furrowed brows and casual shrugs. So, are there any positives to take away from the trade?

Joe Flacco will get playing time—unless he proves to be worse than Jake Browning.

Cincinnati is gaining a quarterback who may play with a chip on his shoulder, especially in Week 18 when the Browns come to town.

The Bengals’ receiving corps will likely be pleased. Flacco is fond of aggressively throwing the ball. With a little time to gel, this could be interesting.

In a dismal AFC North, this trade might bring some hope to the Bengals. A few hours away, Cleveland fans are hoping this doesn’t come back to bite these Dawgs.