Browns' Stefanski says Joe Flacco trade to Bengals 'took us by surprise'

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters one day after the team traded quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals that he was not expecting the Browns to send the 40-year-old to their division rival.

“The Joe (Flacco) trade took us by surprise,” Stefanski said. “That was, uh, not something that we saw coming. They called us, and it happened very fast, and it happened not too long ago. … I always have to be mindful of our players and our players’ development. I want to make sure I’m always doing what’s best for our players.”

Stefanski added that the decision to trade Flacco to the Bengals was made by Browns executive vice president of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry.

Flacco practiced with the Bengals Oct. 8 for the first time, shortly after head coach Zac Taylor announced Flacco will replace Jake Browning as starting QB.

Flacco started at QB when the Bengals defeated the Browns in Week 1. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Week 18 at Paycor Stadium.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that the Bengals had pre-trade chatter about adding Seattle Seahawks backup Drew Lock or Philadelphia Eagles backup Sam Howell. ESPN analysts Marcus Spears and Dan Orlovsky blasted the Bengals, agreeing that switching from Browning to Flacco at quarterback would not be an upgrade.