Rumor: AFC North Quarterback Picture Shaken Up By Trade

Come Week 6, the AFC North quarterback picture is going to look a little different.

According to Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick on Tuesday.

The Bengals are 0-3 in games started by Jake Browning and haven’t been particularly competitive in any of the games. Over that span, star receiver Ja’Marr Chase struggled to get involved in the offense. Browning threw for 757 yards with six touchdowns and nine interceptions since taking over for the injured Joe Burrow. Burrow underwent surgery for a toe injury and is not expected to return until late in the season, if at all.

Flacco started the first four games of the season for Cleveland. The Browns went 1-3 in those games, while the veteran threw for two touchdowns and six interceptions. He was benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel, who threw two touchdowns in his debut against the Minnesota Vikings. The move leaves Shadeur Sanders as the only other quarterback on the active roster.

The Bengals sit at 2-3, second in the division. While the move might be born of desperation, they’re hoping to turn the ship around and cling to playoff hopes while they wait for Burrow to return.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now the only team in the division that Flacco has not played for.

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