The Cincinnati Bengals achieved the the most surprising trade of the season on Tuesday when they acquired Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns.
After watching Jake Browning struggle through three starts, the Bengals knew they had to make a move at quarterback if they wanted to save their season, and that’s how they ended up with Flacco. However, the former Browns quarterback wasn’t the only QB targeted during their search.
In fact, the Bengals made numerous phone calls in the 24 hours following their loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 5, according to NFL Media.
“This exchange is the result of exhaustive research,” said Ian Rapoport. “Basically what they did as they looked around the league was call every team that had three quarterbacks or a viable practice squad option.”
‘It took us by surprise’: Browns, Bengals and Packers’ reaction to Joe Flacco trade
John Culasse
The Bengals needed help so badly that they called to check on a quarterback who was actually retired, and it was four-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr. The 34-year-old announced his retirement in Maybut he left the door slightly opened for possible return if he found the right situation. Although Carr is retired, he is still under contract with the Saints, so if the Bengals wanted to add him, they would have had to make a deal with New Orleans. Any possible trade for Carr would have been difficult to pull off from a financial standpoint for New Orleans because the team restructured his contract in March. Additionally, Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury and it’s unclear if he would have even been healthy enough to play.
Besides Carr, the Bengals inquired about several other notable names, including Houston’s Davis Mills and Philadelphia’s Sam Howell. There was also some notable names the Bengals did NOT attempt to trade, notably Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
Ultimately, the Bengals decided to make a trade for Flacco, who will be their starting quarterback on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Flacco’s biggest advantage is that he has a long history of quick intervention, and that’s exactly what the Bengals need right now. The new quarterback reportedly had just four days of preparation for Cincinnati’s Week 6 game at Green Bay, and the Bengals figured they could quickly get Flacco up to speed.
When Flacco takes the field on Sunday, he will attempt to become the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to beat the same opponent twice in a single season, but with two different teams. In his short time with the Browns this year, Flacco beat the Packers, 13-10, in Week 3.
