The Cincinnati Bengals surely didn't want to be in this situation.
They surely would've much preferred Joe Burrow to be healthy and be their every-week quarterback and not even think about a different player under center.
But sometimes, the NFL is simply not that kind.
Burrow sustained a turf toe injury that needed surgery. He's out until likely December, at least.
Jake Browning stepped in from his backup role, and unlike two seasons ago when he was pretty sharp, this Browning was simply not good enough.
The Bengals needed to do something, anything.
And so they traded for Joe Flacco, according to multiple reports on Tuesday afternoon.
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Why did the Bengals trade for Joe Flacco?
The Bengals traded for Joe Flacco to try and save their playoff hopes.
As long as Browning was throwing interceptions, it didn't seem he'd be the answer.
The Bengals' other options on their roster were Brett Rypien, Sean Clifford and Mike White, who they released earlier Tuesday.
Flacco won a Super Bowl with the Ravens. He may be 40 years old now, and quite immobile, but he's still got a strong arm.
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At least with Flacco, the Bengals can believe in him going on a heater and winning some games, like he did with the Browns at the end of the 2023 season to sneak into the playoffs.
Cincinnati needs its quarterback to be good enough to give Burrow a chance at making a real difference whenever he gets back on the field.
There's no guarantee Flacco starts in Week 6. He'd have to catch up on the playbook in a hurry.
But soon, it seems Flacco will don the uniform of the NFL's other Ohio team. And the Bengals have no choice but to hope it works out.
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