When the Bengals signed Joe Flacco, the move seemed simple on paper, but it ended up complicating things for the team in the long run. Flacco is a veteran quarterback, and the Bengals traded a 2026 fifth-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Flacco and a 2026 sixth-rounder. The decision came after Joe Burrow underwent toe surgery; the team needed a QB.
In this article, we’ll discuss the details of this deal and what it could mean for the team and its long-term plans. Flacco could be what the Bengals need to make a playoff push.
The Setup: Why The Bengals Acted Now
Cincinnati was in a rush to find a quarterback, and their position is perfectly understandable. The team’s QB has undergone a very serious toe surgery that put him off the field for at least 3 months. Burrow played a significant role in shaping the team’s offensive plans, leaving a significant gap.
As soon as he got injured, the crypto NFL betting sites lowered the Bengals’ playoff odds. Experts, such as those at CryptoManiaks, claim that the odds offered by these sites usually reflect the real state of affairs and that they react to events quickly. For many bettors, this speed and transparency highlight one of the key advantages of crypto betting. They offer faster updates and more reliable market reactions than the traditional betting sites.
The Bengals swapped Jake Browning, who was the initial replacement for Burrow, and after a physical, he’ll be available for a trade to the Browns. Browning struggled with turnovers, and the team decided to look for a new QB.
Who Joe Flacco is (right now)
Joe Flacco is a veteran QB with an almost-perfect CV. He was a Super Bowl MVP and has a long and successful resume. However, at this point, he’s 40 years old, and that’s the biggest downside of the transfer. Flacco started the early season with Cleveland, but lost the position to a younger player.
This season was pretty unimpressive for Flacco, at least when it comes to statistics. However, he did excel when it came to leadership that was easy to feel on the field, even with just two TDs against six interceptions.
Could it Lead to a Playoff Push?
There are a few reasons we could believe the transfer is a good idea. First of all, Flacco is a veteran, and having someone with that much experience can boost the team. He has also managed the offense during playoff games where a lot is at stake, which is why some believe it could be a good move for the Bengals going into the playoffs.
It’s also important for the coaching staff to have flexibility when it comes to games of that much importance. Zac Taylor and the offensive coaches can simplify the playbook, emphasize quick reads, play-action, and the run game, and script the early game plan to suit Flacco’s strengths. Flanco will manage close games and convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns.
The locker room lift effect has also been studied and observed, and Flacco could experience it once he truly becomes part of the roster.
Why could it be a Misstep?
There are also real, measurable reasons why the transfer could be a mistake, and those who argue that it is. At 40, none of Flacco’s physical abilities are as good as they once were. This is most noticeable in arm strength, mobility, and processing speed. The turnover statistics in this season show that Flacco’s abilities are failing.
There’s also very little time for Flacco to become part of the team and build chemistry with the receivers, given how suddenly the transfer was made.
Some say the cost-benefit analysis doesn’t hold up given how much the team has paid for the transfer. Cincinnati surrendered a mid-round draft asset for essentially a short-term fix. Flacco may not be able to elevate the offense enough to make it a top team.
How to Reshape the Offense
Flacco performs best with clean pockets and clear progressions. The Bengal’s offensive line must be able to limit pressures from quality pass rushers in the upcoming weeks. This means a stronger focus on the run and play-action. Such efforts would give the QB an easier read of the plays and therefore provide the essential change to the offense.
It remains to be seen if the team has managed to reshape the offense in this manner. A couple of the upcoming games are the best test of it. The most important metrics to watch will be turnover rate, third-down conversion rate, and red-zone efficiency.
Best and Worst Case Scenarios
The best-case scenario that may come out of the transfer is for Flacco to absorb a simplified scheme, lean on the run and play-action, protect the ball, and for these changes to lead to wins in the next couple of games. It will show that the transfer was worth it.
The worst scenario, however, would be for the chemistry between the new QB and the team not to work. This will lead to turnovers and losses. The Bengals will then fall out of playoff contention, and some will see it as proof that the transfers were too costly without providing benefits.
To Sum Up
The Bengals were forced to find a new quarterback when Joe Burrow was injured. They’ve seen one in Joe Flacco, a 40-year-old veteran. The team has traded the 2026 fifth-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Flacco and a 2026 sixth-rounder
Some feel that this move could elevate the team and solve its short-term roster problems. Others, however, fear that Flacco doesn’t have enough time to fit in and that the transfer would prove too costly. We’ll see how it goes after a few upcoming matches.