Joe Flacco embraces Bengals move, explains drive to compete
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Joe Flacco will be wearing a different jersey once again when he takes the field this Sunday. Just a few days ago, the Cleveland Browns traded the veteran quarterback to their in-state rival, the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati acquired Flacco and a sixth-round pick in next year’s draft, while Cleveland received a fifth-round pick in the trade, multiple news outlets reported Tuesday.
On Friday, Flacco spoke to the media for the first time since arriving in Cincinnati. At one point during the wide-ranging news conference, the Super Bowl winner explained what motivates him to continue competing in the NFL.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco speaks to the media at a press conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Friday. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK, via Imagn Images)
“You only get a chance to play in the NFL once. I feel like I’ve worked really hard to be a guy who can play in the NFL and I don’t want to take that for granted,” the 40-year-old told reporters. “I still feel like I can play the game at a high level and when I’m 50 I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror and say I gave it everything I had.”
Flacco was named the Bengals’ starter for the team’s Week 6 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Flacco reacted to the hurricane he experienced this week.
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“It’s a crazy business,” Flacco said. “You have to be ready for anything. It was something like that. It was definitely not on my list of things to happen. But hey, this is the league. And I’m a player. I think most players would say the same thing. I love playing football. If he’s in Cincinnati right now, then I’m all for it.”
Joe Flacco of the Cleveland Browns tries to throw the ball against the Green Bay Packers on September 21, 2025 at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Bengals were hoping to solidify their quarterback room after star receiver Joe Burrow suffered a toe injury in the season opener. Backup Jake Browning struggled when assigned to the starting role. Burrow had surgery last month but could return to action later this season.
Flacco said he was in contact with the injured Burrow.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco kicks a field goal in the first half against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 28 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
“I feel like I have a lot to offer a football team,” Flacco added. “I feel like I’ve put in a lot of work up to this point. I feel like I’ve worked really hard to be a guy that can play in the NFL. I still feel like I can play the game at a high level.”
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Flacco went 1-3 in four games with the Browns this season. However, he led an underdog Cleveland team to a dramatic comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers. Flacco will face the Packers for the second time this season on Sunday.
Dillon Gabriel was named the Browns’ starter entering Week 5. Shedeur Sanders was listed as a backup quarterback on the Browns depth chart following Flacco’s move to Cincinnati. The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Browns on Sunday.
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