Joe Flacco reacts to surprising trade, addresses trying to save Bengals' season

The most surprising NFL-related events of the first half of October involved the Cleveland Browns trading Week 1 starting quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals this past Tuesday and the Bengals naming Flacco their QB1 for their game at the Green Bay Packers (2-1-1) this coming Sunday. 

While speaking with reporters on Friday, Flacco discussed the latest twist of what's become a unique season for the 40-year-old. 

Joe Flacco was "all for" trade to Cincinnati Bengals

"I definitely didn't have this on my list of things that were going to happen," Flacco acknowledged, per Russ Heltman of Sports Illustrated. "But hey, that's this league, and I'm a player. I think most players would say the same thing. I like to play football, and if that's in Cincinnati right now, then I'm all for it."

Flacco lost three of four starts with the Browns before he was benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. Pro Football Reference stats show that Flacco began Friday ranked last in the league among qualified quarterbacks with a 60.3 passer rating and 28th out of 32 players with a 36.7 adjusted QBR. 

Nevertheless, wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are among the Cincinnati players who suggested this week that having Flacco atop the depth chart could keep the Bengals in the playoff hunt through the fall. Jake Browning played poorly across three straight defeats in place of the injured Joe Burrow (toe) before the Bengals acquired Flacco. 

Joe Flacco optimistic about what he can offer Cincinnati Bengals

"I sure hope so," Flacco responded when asked if he feels he can guide the Bengals to the postseason, as shared by Dave Clark of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "That's what I play for is to win football games and help everybody be at their best. And I hope I can come in here and give these guys my best and elevate us as much as I possibly can, and see if we can win a few football games."

As of Friday afternoon, ESPN BET had the 2-3 Bengals as 14.5-point underdogs against the Packers. Flacco indicated he's simply happy to receive another chance to serve as a starter at this stage of his career. 

"I think my personality probably ends up helping me here," Flacco added during his comments. "You just kind of have to go with it, and embrace whatever it is, and meet it head-on. And then also when you're in these situations, it's a good reminder of the fact that we get to play a game for a living. And it makes it almost a little bit easier to not make it bigger than it actually is."