Cleveland’s Class Act: Saying Goodbye to Joe Flacco

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 13: Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns scrambles against the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at NRG Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Posted By: County Sports Network October 8, 2025

Ten thoughts on the Browns’ trade of quarterback Joe Flacco and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Cincinnati Bengals for a fifth-round 2026 draft selection:

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1) I love Flacco and what he did down the stretch in the 2023 season in putting the sputtering Browns onto his back and carrying them into the playoffs. I will forever be a fan of him. I hope he gets the Bengals to the playoffs this year. The fact the Browns didn’t re-sign him for 2024 so as to not put undue pressure on The Pervert, is one of the dumbest moves they’ve ever made.

2) This means Shadeur Sanders is just that much closer to playing. Yahoo!! Woohoo!! Yippee! He has the “it” factor. I can’t wait to see him get a chance.

3) Could it be that the Browns will find they have two capable rookie quarterbacks? And if so, would they be able to take a non-quarterback with their first-round draft pick next spring, allowing them to fill one of the other many holes on this team?

4) The draft picks involved in the trade are incidental. In that part of the draft, you’re selecting players likely destined to go to the practice squad. Whoop-dee-do!

5) Having said that, though, the Browns will be gushing that they picked up a pick in an earlier round. It never ceases to amaze me.

5) The trade makes at least one aspect to this miserable season worth watching.

6) that is, of course, along with being able to watch the other rookies on this roster, of which there are several. Actually, the Browns’ draft last spring looks pretty good. I think Quinshon Judkins is going to end up being an outstanding running back.

7) Back to Flacco: I wonder if any other players have been with three different teams on any division in the history of the NFL.

8) The Bengals are absolutely crazy if they don’t play Flacco against the Green Bay Packers this weekend. He can get up to speed and play in just a few days.

9) Just think of what an asset Flacco will be to the Bengals when they play the Browns in Cincinnati later in the year. He knows everything about this team, including the traits of the coaching staff.

10) And finally, Paul Brown and Art Modell, who absolutely hated each other, must be turning over in their graves with the Browns and Bengals having consummated a trade. That would’ve never happened back in the old days.

Steve King

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