"In the end, Flacco won out as a result of a few factors. Flacco is affordable ($1.26MM base salary) and only cost a fifth-round pick. The well-traveled Super Bowl XLVII MVP also has plenty of AFC North experience, and coordinator Dan Pitcher identified him as a clear fit based on similarities between Cincinnati's offense and Cleveland's in terms of "spacing the field and progressing pass concepts," Breer writes."
"The Bengals lost his first start to the Packers, but they bounced back with an upset over the division-rival Steelers on Thursday. Flacco outdueled fellow 40-something Aaron Rodgers in Week 7, going 31 for 47 for 342 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-31 thriller. He made superstar wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase the focal point of the offense, targeting him on a jaw-dropping 23 throws and hitting him 16 times for 161 yards and a score."
The Bengals pursued multiple veteran and backup quarterbacks after a Week 5 loss that marked the third straight lopsided defeat under Jake Browning. Led by Duke Tobin, the team assembled a long list of potential upgrades, including Anthony Richardson, Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett, Tanner McKee and Josh Johnson. The club narrowed the field to five finalists and ultimately acquired Joe Flacco because of a low cost, modest salary, fifth-round compensation and offensive fit identified by coordinator Dan Pitcher. Flacco lost his first start, then produced a 342-yard, three-touchdown Week 7 performance while heavily targeting Ja'Marr Chase.
Read at Pro Football Rumors
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