Bengals Land Veteran Joe Flacco from Browns Amid Quarterback Struggles, Opening Opportunity for Rookie Shedeur Sanders
The Cincinnati Bengals have made a bold move in an effort to salvage their season, acquiring veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from division rival Cleveland Browns. The trade, announced Tuesday, also included a 2026 sixth-round pick going to Cincinnati, with Cleveland receiving a fifth-rounder in return. However, the most unexpected ripple effect of the trade isn’t just about the Bengals’ quarterback situation — it’s about what it means for rookie Shedeur Sanders, the son of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at Lincoln Financial Field. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
Flacco Traded to Replace Browning in Cincinnati
Flacco, 40, was brought in after a rough stretch for the Bengals, who are reeling after three consecutive losses with Jake Browning at the helm following Joe Burrow’s toe injury in Week 2. Browning has thrown eight interceptions in just over four games, including three in Sunday’s 37-24 loss to the Detroit Lions.
With playoff hopes fading and Burrow on injured reserve for the foreseeable future, Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor decided to act.
“Joe is an experienced quarterback with a history of winning,” Taylor said in a statement. “He is a leader with a skill set that will fit our personnel well... we are excited to have him on our team.”
To make room on the roster, the Bengals released quarterback Brett Rypien, and Flacco is expected to start as soon as this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, left, talks with quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
What This Means for Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland
While Flacco’s addition brings much-needed leadership to the Bengals, his departure from Cleveland opens the door for Shedeur Sanders to rise in the quarterback pecking order. Rookie Dillon Gabriel remains the starter after making his first NFL start in London — a 21-17 loss to the Vikings — but Sanders now slots in as the No. 2 quarterback, moving up from the third-string emergency role he held for the season’s first five weeks.
The Browns updated their unofficial depth chart on Tuesday, listing Shedeur Sanders as the backup QB behind Gabriel ahead of their Week 6 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Sanders, a fifth-round draft pick out of Colorado, credited Flacco for helping guide his transition into the NFL.
“He was definitely somebody I leaned on for wisdom,” Shedeur told Fox 8 News in Cleveland. “He helped me a lot with my time being here... Everybody has their own destinies and their own plans. I’m just happy for him.”
Deion Sanders Reacts: ‘I Don’t Care’ About Browns Trade
When asked about Flacco’s trade and his son’s elevation on the Browns’ depth chart, Deion Sanders — known as Coach Prime — offered a blunt and very Deion response during his weekly press conference in Boulder.
“I don’t care. I don’t give a darn about the Browns at all. I care about the Colorado Buffaloes,” Sanders said. “I do love me some Shedeur Sanders though, believe that... The rest of that mess, I don’t. I’m a coach trying to win games just like they’re trying to win games. I could care less who they traded.”
Deion, whose Buffaloes are sitting at 2-4 with an 0-3 record in Big 12 play, is focused on turning things around this Saturday as Colorado prepares to host No. 22 Iowa State. Despite his indifference toward the NFL trade, he remains confident his son will get his opportunity to play in Cleveland sooner or later.
Appearing on the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce, Deion added:
“I’ve got a feeling when it’s going to go down,” referring to Shedeur’s NFL debut. “I tell him to be patient and be ready.”
Joe Flacco’s Journey: From Super Bowl MVP to Backup to Starter Again
Flacco’s NFL journey continues to take dramatic turns. The former Super Bowl MVP led the Ravens to a championship in 2013 and was named the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year for helping the Browns reach the playoffs with a late-season surge. In just five games last year, he passed for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns.
This season, however, Flacco struggled in Cleveland’s first four games, going 1-3 and throwing six interceptions with just two touchdown passes. His Total QBR ranked 31st out of 32 qualifying quarterbacks — only slightly behind Jake Browning at 29th.
Still, the Bengals are betting on Flacco’s veteran presence to stabilize a floundering offense and keep their postseason hopes alive. According to ESPN's Football Power Index, Cincinnati currently has a 9.2% chance to make the playoffs, sitting second in the AFC North behind the Steelers.
Head coach Deion Sanders of the University of Colorado speaks about his journey beating bladder cancer during a press conference in the Touchdown Club at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado on Monday, July 28, 2025. (AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
What’s Next for the Browns and Bengals
With Deshaun Watson still on the PUP list and Bailey Zappe on the practice squad, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are the only two active quarterbacks on the Browns' 53-man roster. As Cleveland gears up for a key divisional matchup against Pittsburgh, all eyes will be on Gabriel — and whether Shedeur’s number gets called sooner than expected.
In Cincinnati, all signs point to Flacco starting immediately as the Bengals try to avoid falling further behind in the AFC playoff race.
Meanwhile, Deion Sanders has his own mountain to climb in college football — and no time for distractions from the NFL.