Everyone around the NFL knows that the Cleveland Browns are carrying more quarterbacks than they have use for, so it’s only a matter of time before the franchise flips at least one of them for an asset or two in return.
The real questions are who should that player be, and when is the opportune time to trade him?
According to Matt Holder of Bleacher Report, it’s Joe Flacco. As for the timing — whenever the first real need arises for a veteran quarterback elsewhere in the league prior to Week 1.
“While Flacco could be the starting quarterback in Cleveland this year, let’s be honest, the Browns are going to have a tough time being a playoff contender,” Holder wrote Wednesday, July 16. “So, allowing Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders to see if they can be the franchise’s future behind center is a better longterm plan than trotting out a 40-year-old who is on a one-year deal. Meanwhile, trading Flacco would yield some draft capital from a team that could use a veteran backup.”
Minnesota Vikings Already in Market for Veteran QB Trade
Typically the summer market for a player like Flacco develops due to injury. However, in the case of the Minnesota Vikings, it arguably already exists.
J.J. McCarthy is the starter heading into this season, but he’s also just 22 years old and missed the entirety of his rookie campaign with a knee injury. Sam Howell is currently QB2 with Brett Rypien and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer slotting in behind him.
Vikings insiders have discussed the team hunting for a veteran QB, with several mentions of a Kirk Cousins reunion in recent weeks, should Howell struggle in training camp. But even if he doesn’t, Minnesota is at the top of the market for a viable quarterback considering the relative youth and inexperience in that position group coupled with the otherwise proven Super Bowl-caliber of the rest of the Vikings’ offensive roster.
