The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room took another turn Tuesday when the team traded veteran Joe Flacco and a sixth-round pick to the AFC rival Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a fifth-round selection, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The move comes after Flacco was benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel, marking another change this season for the Browns. With Flacco gone, rookie Shedeur Sanders moves up to the No. 2 quarterback spot behind Gabriel.
While the change sparked buzz around the NFL, Deion Sanders wasn’t interested in celebrating the development.
“I don’t care,” Sanders said during his press conference in Boulder on Tuesday. “I don’t give a darn about the Browns — at all. I care about the Colorado Buffaloes. I do love me some Shedeur Sanders though, believe that. I care about him. The rest of that mess I don’t. Okay? I’m a coach trying to win, just like they’re trying to win games. But I could care less who they traded.”
Flacco now join the Bengals, who have struggled since quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a toe injury in Week 2. Backup Jake Browning’s played poor, with eight interceptions over three games. Cincinnati needed to make a move the veteran passer was available.
For the Browns, Gabriel's debut in London was decent, completing 19-of-33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Sanders’ promotion gives the rookie his first active backup role in the NFL after serving as an emergency option early in the season.
Sander starred at Colorado last season, leading the nation in completion percentage (74%) and finishing second in touchdown passes (37). While he’s unlikely to see action soon, his new status signals growing trust from Cleveland’s coaching staff amid a rocky season.