Joe Flacco is now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals after the Cleveland Browns decided to move on from him, trading the 40-year-old quarterback to their AFC North division rivals along with a sixth-rounder in 2026 in exchange for a fifth-rounder in the same year.
The Bengals’ move on Flacco came on the heels of underwhelming play under center by Jake Browning, who served as a placeholder for Joe Burrow, who is on the injured reserve with a Grade 3 turf toe injury.
Now, Flacco is in line to face Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers for the second time in the 2025 NFL season. He started for the Browns in a 13-10 upset victory against the Packers in Cleveland in Week 3, in which he passed for 142 yards with zero touchdowns and an interception on 21-of-36 pass completions.
Fans share thoughts on Joe Flacco’s outlook in Packers-Bengals
Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (71) blocks Green Bay defensive end Micah Parsons (1) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Right after the news about Flacco joining the Bengals broke, many fans immediately wondered whether the Super Bowl winner could handle life behind Cincinnati’s seemingly porous pass protection, particularly against the Packers’ pass rush that features Parsons.
“Putting Flacco behind that god awful offensive line against a rested Micah Parsons is INSANE,”saida fan on X.
Another onesaid: “Parsons didn’t get him in Browns. He gets another chance to tee off on Flacco behind a line that can’t protect him.”
From acommenter: “Micah Parsons to decap!tate Flacco💀”
“I promise you this: Micah Parsons might knock Joe Flacco out of the game before halftime,” a social media userposted.
Via a differentcommenter: “Flacco has no mobility, an O-Line with more holes than Swiss cheese, and an opposing defense with Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary. This is elder abuse.”
The Bengals are one of only 10 teams in the league so far in the 2025 season that have allowed at least 15 sacks.
Flacco was sacked twice in Cleveland’s win against Green Bay, but without the benefit of a training camp or long preparation with Cincinnati, and factoring in the Bengals’ questionable offensive line, there’s indeed a reason to be concerned about the 2023 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.
Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay defensive end Rashan Gary (52) sacks Flacco (15) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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