Browns deal Joe Flacco to Bengals in surprise trade: Instant grades

The Cleveland Browns shocked the NFL on Tuesday when it was revealed that the team would be sending Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals for draft compensation.

Read more: Bengals Land Joe Flacco in Blockbuster Trade With Browns

Cincinnati has been struggling with Jake Browning at the helm, as he took over for the injured Joe Burrow. After three straight losses and eight interceptions in four games, the Bengals needed to make a major change.

For the Browns, the team has Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and Bailey Zappe on the roster. Apparently, this was enough for the organization to also want to ship Flacco out for some draft compensation.

That said, here are the instant grades for both teams in the trade.

More news: Browns Trading Joe Flacco is Huge News for Shedeur Sanders

Bengals Receive Joe Flacco, Sixth-Round Pick

To be fair, the Bengals needed a big change, but it may not be the change that everyone was expecting it to be. There were other quarterbacks that could have potentially fit here, such as Jameis Winston, or possibly Kirk Cousins if the Atlanta Falcons were willing to budge on moving him.

The Bengals may have called about both, but they landed Flacco instead. Considering the team needed a veteran to help manage losses with Burrow out, Flacco could be that person.

The issue is Flacco has thrown six interceptions to two touchdowns, while Browning has six touchdowns to eight interceptions. Maybe the change of scenery can help Flacco rebound a bit.

Giving up a fifth-round selection only for a veteran quarterback is definitely cheap, even if that veteran is the inconsistent Flacco.

Grade: B

Browns Receive Fifth-Round Pick

The Browns have had one of the most confusing quarterback rooms in the NFL, dating back to training camp when Flacco, Gabriel, Sanders, and Kenny Pickett were on the roster. Cleveland shipped out Pickett, leaving them with three.

Now, the Browns have chosen to trade Flacco for a fifth-round pick. Any draft compensation at this point will be for the team to build around either Gabriel or Sanders. This is assuming they keep one or both in 2026.

Cleveland holds 11 draft picks, assuming the newly acquired fifth-round is for 2026. Two of those 11 are first-round selections, which could be used to acquire a quarterback like Dante Moore.

Still, with a presumed 11 draft picks, the Browns can use many of those picks in combinations to move up to select much-needed players. Either way, getting a fifth-round pick for an inconsistent quarterback like Flacco is good enough.

Grade: B+

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