The Bengals started on a high note with 2 wins. But the toe injury to starter Joe Burrow forced them to start the backup Jake Browning. Things went downhill as they lost the next 3 games. As a result, HC Zac Taylor looked around and managed to pull a miracle move by signing the veteran Joe Flacco from the Browns.

The Bengals legend Chad Ochocinco Johnson revealed his stance on the coaches’ move. “I think them continuing to stick with Jake Browning based on the last two performances that we’ve seen, it would have been malpractice by the coaches. I think Zack Taylor might be on the hot seat,” he said during the October 11 episode of Nightcap. And he couldn’t have been more right.

Jake Browning’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster so far. He came in strong on September 14 against the Jaguars, leading his team to a 31–27 win. Browning completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards, throwing 2 touchdowns but also 3 interceptions. The next two games were rough.

On September 21 against the Vikings, the team lost 48–10, and Browning finished with 140 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions on 19 of 27 passing. A week later, on September 30 in Denver, things didn’t get better. The team fell 28–3, and Browning threw for only 125 yards on 14 of 25 passes with no touchdowns or interceptions, while being sacked three times in each of those losses.

Then, on October 6 against the Lions, Browning showed flashes of fight in a 37–24 loss. He completed 26 of 40 passes for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns, though he also had 3 interceptions. Overall, Browning has played only 14 games (8 starts) in 5 seasons for the Bengals, but has a 4-4 win-loss record.

So, Taylor’s move of trading for Joe Flacco has given them a better chance of winning games. As a veteran, he has more skills and experience to divert incoming defense. And it looks like it’s Browning who’s helping Flacco settle down in a new environment.

Jake Browning is helping Joe Flacco acclimate to Cincinnati

Jake Browning may have lost his starting spot, but he’s proving to be the kind of teammate every veteran quarterback wants beside him. Even as Joe Flacco takes over, Browning has stayed engaged, helping the veteran prepare for his first start of the season. “He’s disappointed and he’s having a tough week, but I think he’s done an awesome job being there for me…in the meeting rooms and even outside the meeting rooms, just someone to talk to and ask questions, so he’s been great,” Flacco said a few days ago.

That attitude matters, especially for a 40-year-old quarterback like Flacco, who’s been through nearly everything an NFL career can offer. Over 17 seasons, he’s played 200 games, thrown for 46,000+ yards, and has 259 touchdowns. He’s started playoff games, led late-game comebacks, and most importantly, guided the Ravens to a Super Bowl win in 2012, where he was named Super Bowl MVP.

Now, in 2025, Flacco’s experience could be exactly what the Browns need. He knows how to steady a locker room and bring calm to chaotic situations. Cleveland desperately needs it after the rough stretch. “That’s what I play for…to win football games and help everybody be at their best,” the veteran said while talking to reporters on October 10.

He’s already on the verge of becoming the 2nd NFL QB to win against the same team if he wins the week 6 game against the Packers. With Browning’s help behind the scenes and Flacco’s leadership on the field, the Browns might just find the spark they’ve been missing. But for that to happen, Zac Taylor needs all departments to perform at their best simultaneously.

Flacco has made a career out of lifting teams when they least expect it. And this could be another one of those moments where experience and preparation change the story of a season.