Following the massive trade for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, the Cincinnati Bengals had just six draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, with none in the first or fifth rounds. Cincinnati just lost the No. 10 pick in the draft for Lawrence, while their fifth-round pick was traded in a swap for quarterback Joe Flacco and additional capital this past season.
That Flacco trade was more of a last-ditch effort to save the Bengals season following Joe Burrow’s injury, but Cincinnati’s slide continued and they remained out of the playoffs this season.
With the 2026 NFL Draft here, let’s revisit that Flacco trade and see how it fared for the Bengals.
Original terms for the Joe Flacco trade from the Brwons to the Bengals
- Cincinnati Bengals receive: QB Joe Flacco, 2026 sixth-round draft pick (No. 199)
- Cleveland Browns receive: 2026 fifth-round draft pick (No. 146)
How did Joe Flacco play for the Bengals in 2025?
After being traded to Cincinnati, Flacco started six more games, going 1-5 in those games, while throwing for 1,636 yards (272.7 yards per game), 13 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. He also lost a fumble.
In those six games, the offense averaged over 27 points a contest and lost two games to the Jets and the Bears because of ugly defensive miscues. Flacco did have some big games, including a 342-yard and three-touchdown performance in a 33-31 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He also had 470 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions in the 47-42 last-minute loss to the Chicago Bears. But Cincinnati fell to 3-8 after his six starts, making it an uphill climb from there upon Joe Burrow’s return.
What did the Bengals do with the selection from their Joe Flacco pick swap?
The Browns sent over a sixth-round pick they received from the Detroit Lions in a previous trade to the Bengals in this deal. The Bengals traded 110 and 199 for 128 and 140. At pick 128, they selected Connor Lew, the Auburn center. Pick 140 was Georgia WR Colbie Young.
What did the Browns do with the pick from the Joe Flacco trade?
Meanwhile, the Browns got Cincinnati’s fifth-round pick, which was near the top of the fifth round. At pick 149, they took linebacker Justin Jefferson from Alabama.
How did the Bengals fare in the Joe Flacco trade?
Well, Cincinnati was looking to make the playoffs last season after some major contracts were doled out, which is why they made the deal for Flacco.
Did Flacco play poorly in Cincinnati? Not necessarily. It was primarily the defensive woes that cost the Bengals and prompted the 3-8 slide. But Flacco wasn’t the answer either, as the Bengals looked for a better backup than Jake Browning.
The cost wasn’t high, as Cincinnati gave up a fifth-round pick and got a sixth-rounder back in return. But there also wasn’t much of a reward in trading for Flacco.
