Chad Johnson, the former Bengals wide receiver, has acknowledged the Cincinnati Bengals’ effort to stabilize its offense following Joe Burrow’s injury and the underperformance of backup Jake Browning. With 757 yards, 6 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and a 35.3 QBR, Browning is having a terrible season. The Bengals are still 2-3, with their lack of confidence in Jake Browning. 

Johnson tweeted on X, “Joe Flacco, throw it to Chase & Higgins.”

In four starts for Cleveland this season, Joe Flacco completed 93 of 160 passes (58.1%) for 815 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions, with a passer rating of 60.3. The offense for the Cleveland Browns was averaging just 14 points per game. Meanwhile, the Bengals are allowing 3.0 Sacks per Game, which is comparatively less than the Cleveland Browns.   

Johnson’s appeal emphasizes Cincinnati’s receiving duo, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who have drawn praise as one of the league’s more dangerous threats. The expectation is that Joe Flacco, a veteran with experience, can “force-feed” those targets rather than distribute the ball more evenly. Flacco led the Browns to the 2023 playoffs, which earned him the Comeback Player of the Year award.

But challenges await. Analysts have flagged issues with Cincinnati’s offensive line, noting that Joe Flacco’s relative lack of mobility could exacerbate pressure and sack risk. Moreover, the Bengals’ switch to Flacco is viewed by some as a modest upgrade over Browning in terms of efficiency metrics. Before being benched, he failed to lead the Browns to more than 17 points in any of his four starts this season. As he joins his sixth different team of his career, he hopes to adjust to head coach Zac Taylor’s game plan.

Bengals trade for Joe Flacco, depth chart shift at Browns

In an unexpected intra-division trade, the Cincinnati Bengals acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. The trade sends a 2026 fifth-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick to Cincinnati, marking the first-ever trade between the Browns and Bengals.

The Browns have officially committed rookie Dillon Gabriel as the starting quarterback. Previously ranked third on the depth chart, Shedeur Sanders is now the starting backup quarterback. Deshaun Watson, who is still on the roster due to injury, may make things more difficult if Gabriel has problems. Cleveland views Gabriel as more mobile than Flacco, with quicker decision-making and improved ball security.

The trade is seen by analysts as Cleveland “thinking beyond 2025,” letting go of a veteran who is no longer a core member and placing a wager on younger players. Sanders now has a more direct route to playing time thanks to the deal. Since Flacco is no longer the backup, Sanders will get more practice reps and be able to interact more closely with the starting offense. This sparks a turning point in how the Browns will approach their quarterback development this season.

Additionally, the move eliminates quarterback redundancy and frees up a roster spot, allowing the Browns to improve other areas.