The Cincinnati Bengals landed a new starting quarterback when they acquired Joe Flacco in a trade with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, and fans feel there are two people in particular who should be ecstatic over the news.
The Bengals have agreed to send a fifth-round draft pick to Cleveland in exchange for Flacco and a sixth-round pick. Cincinnati’s coaching staff is hoping Flacco will be able to get up to speed quickly enough to start on the road against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Flacco is expected to take over for Jake Browning, who has gone 0-3 as a starter for the Bengals this season following Joe Burrow’s foot injury. Browning threw three interceptions in Cincinnati’s 37-24 Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions and has looked completely incompetent through three-plus games under center.
After news of the Flacco trade broke, many fans made jokes about how happy Bengals star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins should be.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins fantasy managers right now:pic.twitter.com/wYqrnzZOi9
— Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) October 7, 2025
Flacco and Ja’Marr Chase in Cincy pic.twitter.com/2yHSRSAE1n
— Pick6 (@Pick6) October 7, 2025
Ja’Marr Chase with a (semi) competent QB 😭🙌 pic.twitter.com/tl8rrruSvh
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) October 7, 2025
Jamar, Chase Brown, and Tee Higgins managers all on there knees in a Walmart right now.
Yall are back
— Lineup Lord (@Lineuplord) October 7, 2025
FLACCO TO CHASE/HIGGINS BOUT TO FEED FAMILIES pic.twitter.com/07FRFvzkSs
— generalorhan (@GeneralOrhan) October 7, 2025
FREE JA’MARR AND TEE pic.twitter.com/jqd7GSP2lE
— Ball Don’t Lie (@BallDontLieHQ) October 7, 2025
It should be noted that Flacco has not played well this season, either. He has not been nearly as bad as Browning, but there is a reason the Browns benched him in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel last week.
Flacco went 16/34 for 184 yards, no touchdowns and 2 interceptions in Cleveland’s 34-10 Week 4 loss to the Lions. He has just 2 touchdown passes compared to 6 interceptions on the season and threw for fewer than 200 yards in three of his four starts with the Browns.
At this point, Bengals fans are operating under the assumption that anything will be an upgrade from Browning. It would not be a surprise if Chase and Higgins felt the same way.