Shedeur Sanders Reacts to Joe Flacco Trade in Video, Browns QB 'Happy' for Veteran

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders reacted to the team's decision to trade veteran passer Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday.

"He was definitely somebody I leaned on for wisdom, and I feel he helped me a lot," Sanders said in an interview with John Sabol of Fox 8 Cleveland. "He helped me a lot in my time being here in Cleveland and his time being here in Cleveland. Everybody has their own destinies and have their own plans…I'm just happy for him."

The Browns sent Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Bengals in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round selection. He was previously benched by Cleveland in favor of fellow rookie signal-caller Dillon Gabriel on Oct. 1.

Flacco started the first four games of the season for the Browns, completing 58.1 percent of his throws for 815 yards and two touchdowns compared to six interceptions. Cleveland owned a 1-3 record with him under center.

The 40-year-old signed a one-year deal worth $4 million with the Browns during the offseason.

Flacco spent plenty of time with Sanders in training camp and was impressed with the 2025 fifth-round pick's approach to offseason activities.

"I think he's come in from Day 1 with a pretty good head on his shoulders, a pretty good method about how he thinks he should do things," Flacco said, via SI.com's Jack Carlough.

Sanders sat at No. 3 on Cleveland's quarterback depth chart prior to Tuesday's trade, although he's now the team's second-string passer. Gabriel will continue to serve as the Browns' starter moving forward.

Cleveland suffered a 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Gabriel's first career start, although he still finished 19-of-33 for 190 yards and two touchdowns without getting picked off.

If Flacco remains Cincinnati's starter for the rest of the regular season, he'll face his former team when the Bengals host the Browns in Week 18.