The Cincinnati Bengals traded for quarterback Joe Flacco and got immediate results, highlighted by the Thursday night primetime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers to save the season.
Before that point, though, the Bengals quickly worked through a fast-moving emergency process aimed at replacing Jake Browning and giving the team a fighting chance to stay alive while Joe Burrow rehabbed for a possible return in the winter.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, these are the quarterbacks Zac Taylor and his staff assembled before chopping the list down to five:
- Stetson Bennett
- Derek Carr
- Kirk Cousins
- Tommy DeVito
- Joe Flacco
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Josh Johnson
- Drew Lock
- Tanner McKee
- Davis Mills
- Anthony Richardson
- Russell Wilson
- Jameis Winston
RELATED: What win over Steelers means for Bengals after Joe Burrow injury news
Reports vary on whether the Bengals actually considered names like Jameis Winston, but the point stands: The Bengals considered all options, to some degree.
More recent reporting said the Bengals might’ve thought Browning’s arm “died out,” spurring the trade.
Whatever the real reason for the Flacco trade, the Bengals clearly got it right. His 18 years of experience, much of it in the AFC North, and ability to execute the Burrow offense have made him a natural fit who is, indeed, keeping the Bengals alive.
Meanwhile, Burrow is indeed on track for a mid-December return.
RELATED: Is Bengals QB Joe Burrow actually coming back this season?
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals’ list of QB trade targets before Joe Flacco move goes public
