Ripple Effects and Next Potential NFL Moves After Joe Flacco Traded to Bengals

The Cleveland Browns have traded quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, which could be the start of a flurry of moves across the NFL.

The Bengals saw enough of Jake Browning's inefficiencies and acquired Flacco in hopes he can keep the offense steady while Joe Burrow recovers from toe surgery.

The Browns' starting and backup rookie quarterbacks will draw headlines for the remainder of the season with storylines centered around Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Keep in mind, however, that fourth-year veteran Bailey Zappe is on the practice squad.

Adam Schefter of ESPN believes teams will be active on Mondays and Tuesdays up until the November 4 trade deadline.

We'll break down the ripple effects of the Flacco trade, which teams could be buyers and sellers in the coming weeks and who might be involved in these transactions.

Joe Flacco Is Slightly Upgraded Band-Aid for Bengals' Spiraling Offense

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) hugs Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9)

In the aftermath of the Joe Flacco trade, the Bengals will see the most immediate impact, though it's not a season-salvaging transaction.

Entering Week 6, Cincinnati backup quarterback Jake Browning has thrown the second-most interceptions with eight. Flacco is third with six. 

The Bengals may continue to struggle with turnovers, but Flacco should be able to rack up a ton of passing yards with wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal. This season, he eclipsed 200 passing yards in one of his four starts.  

If the team can present a threat to defenses through the air, Chase Brown could see wider running lanes on the ground. This would provide the offense with a more balanced approach. He's only averaging 2.5 yards per carry, and Cincinnati is last in rushing yards.

Though turnover-prone, Flacco is capable of making better decisions than Browning in the pocket and leading a productive aerial attack with a solid supporting cast of playmakers.

Dillon Gabriel Can Play His Way into Browns' Long-Term Future

AP Photo/Ian Walton

Last week, the Browns benched Joe Flacco for Dillon Gabriel, and the rookie third-rounder put together a decent outing considering the circumstances.

Gabriel made his pro debut in London against the Minnesota Vikings' third-ranked pass defense. He gave the Browns a chance to win, throwing for 190 yards and two touchdowns with some tight-window throws that turned heads.

Of course, the Browns can aid Gabriel and their passing game by featuring rookie tailback Quinshon Judkins in the run game, as they did against the Vikings. 

That said, in a QB-driven league, Gabriel will garner most of the praise or take the brunt of criticism for Cleveland's offensive successes and failures. He's also playing in front of the most high-profile fifth-round rookie quarterback in NFL history.

Shedeur Sanders Tentatively Moves to No. 2 Spot, Raising Pressure on Dillon Gabriel

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders entered this year's draft with the spotlight attached to him because of his father's Hall of Fame NFL career and sports legacy. His strong debut preseason performance and recent mime act fueled the discourse around his future in the league.

On the one hand, Sanders has demonstrated enough potential at the collegiate level and in a small sample size to suggest he can be a starting-caliber pro quarterback. Yet his critics wonder if his demeanor fits a leadership position in the locker room.

For now, the Colorado product must wait his turn, but he might be one step closer to seeing the field with the benefit of taking practice reps in the primary backup role.

The Athletic's Zac Jackson raised the possibility Cleveland promotes Bailey Zappe to the active roster over Sanders for the No. 2 spot.

"Cleveland will likely promote Bailey Zappe from its practice squad, and we'll see later in the week if rookie Shedeur Sanders will move up from emergency quarterback or if Zappe will become the primary backup." he wrote.

In the meantime, Sanders will see more microphones in his face if Gabriel struggles under center, and whatever he says (or mimes), pundits will discuss it through the lens of his viability as a franchise player.

Browns Could Entertain Trade Ideas for David Njoku, Jerome Ford

AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku

Cleveland is a competitive 1-4 squad that only lost by one point to the Bengals, who had a healthy Joe Burrow in Week 1, beat the Green Bay Packers and nearly upset the Vikings in London.

However, the Browns must consider the long-term complexion of their roster. If they're not going to extend veterans in the final year of their contracts, general manager Andrew Berry should put those players on the trade block.

Among the skill players, tight end David Njoku and Jerome Ford would likely draw the most interest.

In 2023, Njoku made the AFC Pro Bowl roster and set career highs in multiple receiving categories. He's second on the team in targets (30), but Cleveland has a rookie tight end in Harold Fannin, who leads the club in receptions (21).

On an expiring contract, Njoku will turn 30 next year, and Fannin has a bright future. The veteran could help a team that wants to incorporate more two-tight-end sets with an established pass-catcher at the position.

Rookie tailback Quinshon Judkins has taken on a workhorse role out of the backfield, averaging 18 carries per game. Dylan Sampson, a rookie fourth-rounder, and Ford have the same number of touches (31).

Sampson has 12 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. With his ability to catch out of the backfield, he can complement Judkins in a one-two combination at running back, which makes Ford expendable.

Jaguars Should Inquire About a Trade for Ravens TE Mark Andrews

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews

At 1-4, the Baltimore Ravens could be sellers even if the club thinks it can go on a midseason run with quarterback Lamar Jackson back from a hamstring injury in Week 6 or on the other side of the team's Week 7 bye. 

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Ravens traded edge-rusher Odafe Oweh and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for safety Alohi Gilman and a 2026 fifth-round pick. 

While this move addresses a need in its banged-up secondary, Baltimore may not be done with trades before the deadline.

Fox Sports' Eric D. Williams mentioned Mark Andrews as a player to monitor in the coming weeks.

During the offseason, Andrews drew trade buzz, but tight end Isaiah Likely underwent surgery for a foot fracture in the summer. 

Now that Likely is healthy, the Ravens could move Andrews, who's in the final year of his contract at 30 years old. If they're willing to trade him, the Jacksonville Jaguars could be a suitor.

On Tuesday, Jacksonville placed Brenton Strange on injured reserve. Coming off a statement victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Jaguars should be aggressive in filling roster holes. 

Strange leads Jacksonville in receptions with 20. If the Jaguars want to see their 17th-ranked passing attack make strides without a primary target, they can add a proven playmaker at the position.  

Chargers Can Apply Pressure on Saints for Alvin Kamara Trade

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara

According NewOrleans.Football founder Nick Underhill, teams are eyeing New Orleans Saints veteran players with the anticipation that the team will be sellers near the deadline.  

The Saints may soon pivot to a younger tailback. They've shown more trust in running back Kendre Miller on the ground. In Weeks 4 and 5, he logged double-digit rush attempts. 

Through five weeks, Miller is averaging 4.3 yards per carry—slightly more than Alvin Kamara, who is at 3.9 yards per attempt.

The Saints don't have a controversy over their lead running back situation, but Miller possesses more upside in the early stages of his third season. New Orleans signed Kamara to an extension last October, but he's shown signs of wear and tear, missing seven games since 2024.

The Los Angeles Chargers would be a logical suitor for Kamara if he's available. They lost Najee Harris for the season and placed Omarion Hampton on injured reserve. 

Moreover, Justin Herbert needs a reliable outlet pass-catcher behind an injury-riddled offensive line. The Chargers can balance their offense and boost the short passing game with Kamara as their featured running back until Hampton returns to share the workload.

New Orleans could move Kamara with only one year left on his deal, while the Chargers attempt to spark an offense that has scored fewer than 19 points in back-to-back outings.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.