The Bengals are struggling. Head coach Zac Taylor signed the veteran Joe Flacco to take control. He even sent a car for QB and his wife, and even called them on their way to the building. He might have FaceTimed the quarterback, but changed his mind at the last moment (calling it too awkward). Now, a legend has also opened up about the veteran.

“We want to get someone else who is a veteran presence, that has won a Super Bowl, maybe they come in and steer the ship to keep it from sinking, similar to the Titanic. We don’t want to hit an iceberg. Can Joe Flacco come in and steer the ship, dodge a few icebergs? We might sink a little, but we don’t want to go all the way under. It all starts with number one,” Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson said on the October 8 episode of Nightcap. And he’s right.

Joe Flacco brings in 17 years of experience. And he has been in plenty of such situations. Back in 2023, in his first year with the Browns, he took them to 4-1 when Deshaun Watson was absent. Moreover, with two lethal WRs, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, he can rain wrath on their rivals.

Ocho then proceeded to reveal the sentiment among the fanbase. He added, “We’re two and three. We still have time to be able to salvage the season And I think continuing to stick with Jake Browning based on the last two performances we’ve seen would have been malpractice by the coaches. I think Zack Taylor might be on the hot seat… The fans are impatient. I’m impatient.”

Jake Browning played 2 games for the Bengals, but failed miserably. He had a 3-5 TD-interception ratio in 381 yards. It was a key reason fans wanted a change. Ultimately, a veteran is here. And the coach is happy. He also sees a ray of hope.

Zac Taylor gives a heartfelt message to Joe Flacco

Ahead of his Bengals debut, Flacco is getting full support from the coaches. HC Zac Taylor openly endorsed how both the franchise and the signal caller complement each other really well. “That’s why we like him. That’s why we brought him in. Because he fits what we do,” the coach said before Wednesday’s practice, the first leading up to their week 6 game.

He then also gave a piece of advice to the veteran, “You don’t have to change much. Now you just have to get him up to speed with the full scope of what you have in your arsenal.” However, if you go by their current practice, things aren’t looking that great for Flacco.

In 4 games for the Browns this year, he had a 1-3 win-loss record with 93 of 160 passes (60.1% completion rate) in 815 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. And that has happened after HC Kevin Stefanski kept propping him up as the starter. He was their comeback player in 2023, but this year, he tanked.

That thing can happen with the Bengals, too, if they don’t adjust their offense and defense. After 5 games, the Bengals are the last-placed team in the rushing game, with 285 yards and 2 touchdowns. Moreover, they have logged 2 forced fumbles. So, things haven’t been really great for them as well.

In defense, they have done a pretty decent job with 5 interceptions. But Zac Taylor knows one thing. They need to fire as a unit, and he is trying to usher in a change with the arrival of Joe Flacco. Will it happen or not? The next game against the Packers will unravel the story.