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Bengals Release Two Veteran Quarterbacks After Joe Flacco Trade

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Oct 7, 2025 5:56 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals revamped their quarterback room on Tuesday.

Following three lopsided losses without Joe Burrow, the Bengals acquired Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. They sent a 2026 fifth-round draft pick to their AFC North rivals for Flacco and a 2026 sixth.

In a corresponding move, the Bengals released quarterback Brett Rypien. Earlier in the day, they cut Mike White from their practice squad.

Flacco joins the Bengals

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 28: Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Cincinnati's season took a major blow when Burrow injured his toe during a Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bengals cratered without their superstar quarterback, getting outscored 113-37 in three losses with Jake Browning starting under center.

Browning played well when replacing Burrow in 2023, posting a 98.4 quarterback rating and leading the Bengals to four wins in seven starts. This year has been a different story for the former undrafted free agent, who has a 70.5 passer rating with more interceptions (eight) than passing touchdowns (six).

Browning threw three picks in Sunday's 37-24 loss to the Detroit Lions, prompting the Bengals to seek an alternative to help save their season. They'll take a chance on Flacco resurrecting the offense.

Flacco hasn't played any better than Browning in 2025. Cleveland benched the former Super Bowl champion after he completed just 58.1 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and six interceptions in four games.

However, the 40-year-old is just two seasons removed from carrying Cleveland into the playoffs with 1,616 passing yards in five throwback games. The Bengals will hope he ignites a similar spark playing alongside Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

"Joe is an experienced quarterback with a history of winning," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. "He is a leader with a skill set that will fit our personnel well. He is a gifted passer with a strong arm, and we are excited to have him on our team."

Cincinnati's quarterback cuts

Rypien had moved up to No. 2 behind Browning on Cincinnati's depth chart following Burrow's injury. The 29-year-old got sacked while playing three snaps in a Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Cincinnati signed White to the practice squad after Burrow went down. The former fifth-rounder enjoyed his defining moment at the Bengals' expense, leading the New York Jets to a win over Cincinnati with 405 yards and three passing touchdowns in his first career start.

Despite that dazzling arrival, White has not started an NFL game since 2022. He spent last season on the Buffalo Bills' practice squad.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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