Coach Zac Taylor revealed Wednesday that Flacco will start Sunday's game against the Packers, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.
The Bengals acquired Flacco from the Browns on Tuesday, and Taylor quickly named the veteran QB the starter for the 2-3 team, which has dropped three straight games. With Flacco moving into into the No. 1 signal-caller role, Jake Browning is in line to work in a backup capacity this weekend. Flacco thus represents an option for those in two-QB formats or who are looking for a bye week plug-in ahead of Week 6 action.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Bound for Cincinnati
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The Bengals acquired Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Browns on Tuesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The trade is the first between the instate rivals since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, but it's a deal that makes sense for both parties. Flacco was recently demoted to the No. 2 role in Cleveland in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel, but the Bengals could view the 40-year-old as an upgrade over the struggling Jake Browning as their interim starting quarterback while Joe Burrow (toe) remains on injured reserve. Though Flacco threw six interceptions and failed to lead the Browns to more than 17 points in any of his four starts this season prior to being benched, he'll give the Bengals a quarterback capable of getting the football to star wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins while keeping Cincinnati more competitive in the short term. Assuming he can get up to speed quickly with head coach Zac Taylor's playbook as he joins the sixth different team of his career, Flacco should be the favorite to draw the start over Browning in Sunday's game against the Packers.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Likely headed to bench
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The Browns are expected to bench Flacco and turn to rookie Dillon Gabriel to serve as their starting quarterback, beginning with Sunday's game against the Vikings in London, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.
Though head coach Kevin Stefanski evaded questions about a change at quarterback following Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Lions, the Browns appear set to turn the reins of the offense over to Gabriel after getting off to a 1-3 start to the season and failing to score more than 17 points in any game. Flacco ranks last in the NFL in passer rating (60.3), completion percentage (58.1) and yards per attempt (5.1), and the relatively immobile veteran has thrown at least one interception in all four contests while working behind an offensive line that's been missing both its starting tackles. The Browns have yet to provide confirmation that Flacco will be headed to the bench, but expect Stefanski to address the matter when he speaks to the media Wednesday.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Pair of picks in Week 4 loss
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Flacco completed 16 of 34 passes for 184 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions while adding three rushes for minus-1 yard in the Browns' 34-10 loss to the Lions on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
Flacco's ragged stat line tells the tale of a tough afternoon against an aggressive Lions defense that sacked him three times in addition to the three turnovers. The veteran signal-caller did keep Cleveland competitive for a significant part of the contest before Detroit pulled away with 14 fourth-quarter points, but with a 2:6 TD:INT and 58.1 percent completion rate through four games, it may not be long before Flacco is swapped out for one of Cleveland's rookie QBs, Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders. However, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports a switch may not yet be in the works just yet, as head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed after the game he's still not considering a quarterback change.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Modest numbers in Week 3 win
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Flacco completed 21 of 36 passes for 142 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Browns' 13-10 win over the Packers on Sunday.
As his final numbers indicate, Flacco didn't play particularly well, finishing with under 200 passing yards for the second straight game while also failing to throw at least one touchdown pass for the first time this season. Flacco did spread the ball around effectively to eight different pass catchers, although David Njoku's 40 receiving yards qualified as a team-high figure. The veteran signal-caller did complete a key eight-yard pass to Njoku on Cleveland's final drive to set up Andre Szmyt's game-winning field goal, and Flacco will continue under center in a challenging Week 4 road matchup against the Lions next Sunday afternoon.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Replaced by Gabriel late in loss
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Flacco completed 25 of 45 passes for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception while adding one rush for eight yards in the Browns' 41-17 loss to the Ravens on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
Flacco's underwhelming line tells the tale of a sluggish afternoon for the Browns' offense, one during which he took two sacks in addition to his two turnovers. Flacco spread the ball around well but was outmanned by an aggressive Ravens defense and an efficient, mistake-free performance by Lamar Jackson. Flacco was replaced by rookie Dillon Gabriel for the final drive -- which did result in a touchdown -- but Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Flacco would remain the starter for a Week 3 home matchup against the Packers.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Adds/Streamers (QB Preview)
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I was disappointed Flacco didn't come out higher in my Week 1 projections. The main problem is that he loses more Fantasy points to turnovers than he gains in rushing production. The other problem is despite a great matchup against the Bengals, his Browns have a mediocre 21 points implied by the lines this week. Still, he's thrown for over 4,700 yards and 32 TDs in his last 17 starts so I wouldn't blame you for running him out there Week 1.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Sharp in Saturday's start
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Flacco completed nine of 10 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 19-17 preseason win over the Rams.
Flacco was nearly flawless while working the Browns' first three drives, capping the second with a 15-yard TD strike to rookie tight end Harold Fannin. The 41-year-old is set as the Week 1 starter for Cleveland, and while the team may choose to take a look at one of the quarterbacks it selected in the 2025 Draft, Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders, if the season goes off the rails, Flacco offers a much more stable floor for the passing game, and targets such as Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: In line for 25-30 snaps Saturday
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Flacco is slated to start Saturday's preseason finale against the Rams, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Coach Kevin Stefanski indicated Thursday that Flacco and the Browns' healthy starters should see about 25-to-30 plays Saturday. Once Flacco departs the contest, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, in that order, are in line to see action, while Kenny Pickett won't play due to his hamstring issue, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: QB1 decision coming this week
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Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Sunday that he plans to name a starting quarterback this week, Albert Breer of SI.com reports.
Flacco has been on track to start Week 1 given his playing time and the distribution of starting snaps during training camp. The 40-year-old quarterback didn't suit up for Saturday's 22-13 preseason victory versus Philadelphia, but that appeared to be for rest reasons rather than any injury concerns. Meanwhile, fellow quarterbacks Kenny Pickett (hamstring) and fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders (oblique) were both sidelined, leaving third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel to start. Assuming Flacco is named the starter, then Pickett will probably be the No. 2 quarterback when healthy, while Sanders and Gabriel compete for the third-string role. Tyler Huntley also is on board in Cleveland, but it's unlikely he'll still be there if the team keeps Flacco, Pickett, Sanders and Gabriel all on the roster. Flacco appeared in eight games with six starts for the Colts last season, completing 162 of 248 passes (65 percent) for 1,761 yards and 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Unlikely to play Saturday
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Flacco, who will take the majority of first-team reps at practice Wednesday, is not expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski hasn't yet officially named a starting quarterback for Week 1, but all indications remain that it will be Flacco who lines up under center against the Bengals in the regular-season opener, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Ashley Bastock of cleveland.com reports that 40-year-old veteran is expected to continue handling first-team reps throughout Cleveland's two joint practices with Philadelphia, while rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel figure to split game reps Saturday. Kenny Pickett (hamstring), meanwhile, remains limited to 7-on-7 drills.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Won't play in preseason opener
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Flacco isn't scheduled to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Panthers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
The Browns are holding him out even though Shedeur Sanders was their only other healthy quarterback prior to signing Tyler Huntley on Monday. Huntley spent time with the team last year and has experience operating coach Kevin Stefanski's playbook, but it'll be Sanders getting the start Friday night. While Stefanski said he plans to play some starters, Flacco's absence is the latest sign that the 40-year-old is on track for the Week 1 start. Making it through the season without getting benched or injured will be the more challenging part.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Strengthening hold on QB1 role
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Flacco is the "strong favorite" to begin the regular season as Cleveland's starting quarterback, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Flacco has been the "presumed favorite" since the beginning of training camp, and multiple factors have helped him tighten his grip on the role. First, Jackson reports that the veteran QB had his best two days of throwing Friday and Saturday. Second, Kenny Pickett strained a hamstring July 27 and is still working his way back to full speed, though he's returned to practice in a limited capacity. Finally, rookie Shedeur Sanders hasn't been able to do much as he deals with arm soreness, though Jackson suggests that neither Sanders nor fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel ever had a "realistic chance" of winning the starting job out of the gate. It all adds up to Flacco looking like the Browns' starter Week 1 against Cincinnati, though Pickett still could make a case for the role if he outshines Flacco upon returning to full health.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Splitting first-team snaps
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Flacco was the first QB up for 11-on-11 work Thursday, after Kenny Pickett did the honors Wednesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Jackson notes that Flacco sometimes takes fewer reps than the other quarterbacks because he's so much older and more experienced. It otherwise sounds like Flacco and Pickett are on equal footing in a competition for the Week 1 starting job. Dillon Gabriel has been the third QB through drills ahead of fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, but there's still plenty of time this summer for the latter to make a push up the depth chart.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Sits out 11-on-11
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Flacco did not participate in the Browns' 11-on-11 session at practice Wednesday, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Flacco was the first quarterback up in the team's first modified 7-on-7 series against the team's No. 1 defensive back seven. He then shifted into being a spectator for the remainder of the day, handing the reins off to Kenny Pickett to begin the team's 11-on-11 session to end practice. Not much can be inferred about the quarterback pecking order in Cleveland after the team's first full-squad workout Wednesday, but it's worth monitoring as the days pass. Flacco and Pickett appear to be the frontrunners of the Browns' four-man quarterback competition, with rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel fighting an uphill battle.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Mentor during offseason work
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Flacco took limited reps during mandatory minicamp, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Flacco is entering his 18th NFL season, so extra reps during the offseason aren't necessarily all that valuable. He participated enough to help install the offense, but otherwise served as a mentor to Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, helping them develop a cadence and study film. Flacco is expected to compete for the starting job during training camp and could realistically be under center for Cleveland's Week 1 matchup against the Bengals.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Returning to Cleveland
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Flacco has agreed to a one-year deal with the Browns, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN reports.
Per the report, Flacco's deal is for $4 million, though the veteran QB could earn up to $13 million with incentives factored in. Flacco -- who played for the Colts last season -- is thus in line to return to Cleveland, where he won the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023. Bringing back the 40-year-old bolsters a signal-caller corps that also includes Deshaun Watson -- who could miss most or all of the 2025 season due to an Achilles injury -- and 2022 first-rounder Kenny Pickett. It's also quite possible that the Browns will select another QB in the upcoming NFL Draft, but as things stand now, Flacco is in a position to compete with Pickett to be the team's starter in Week 1.
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Colts' Joe Flacco: Ends season with OT win
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Flacco completed 23 of 40 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-23 overtime win over the Jaguars.
Getting the start in place of Anthony Richardson (back), Flacco hit Alec Pierce for a 40-yard TD on the Colts' first possession and finished the game with respectable numbers. This may have been the 39-year-old quarterback's final NFL game, as he will become a free agent this offseason and hasn't indicated whether he wants to keep playing, but if he does elect to keep playing he seems to be a good fit in Indy as the backup/mentor to the gifted but raw Richardson. Over eight appearances in 2024, Flacco completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 1,761 yards and a 12:7 TD:INT.
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Colts' Joe Flacco: Set to start Sunday
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Flacco will start Sunday's season finale against the Jaguars, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
The veteran QB will get his second straight start, with Anthony Richardson (back) having been ruled out for Sunday's contest, per head coach Shane Steichen. While filling in for Richardson in Week 17, Flacco completed 26 of 38 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in the Colts' 45-33 loss to the Giants. Flacco thus represents a Week 18 lineup option for those in need of QB help due to injuries or scenarios in which their signal-callers will be limited or rested this weekend.
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Colts' Joe Flacco: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
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Flacco scored 32.6 Fantasy points at Jacksonville in Week 5, and the Jaguars are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. If Flacco starts again for the Colts in place of Anthony Richardson (back), then Flacco would be worth starting in deeper leagues. He scored 19.3 Fantasy points at the Giants in Week 17.