Key Takeaways

• In Week 3, several NFL teams faced quarterback injuries, turning veteran backups into high-demand trade targets and sparking widespread speculation.
• Jaxson Dart’s knee injury for the New York Giants triggered talk about whether Cincinnati would trade its experienced No. 2 quarterback, Joe Flacco, to New York.
• New York tabbed Jameis Winston as the starter after a 28-6 loss to the Rams, with Winston completing 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception.
• Flacco dismissed the trade chatter, calling it 'not real and not true,' though he acknowledged it drew attention from friends who texted him about a potential move.
• Cincinnati signed Flacco to a one-year deal worth $9 million in March, valuing him as emergency depth behind Joe Burrow and well-regarded for his Pro Bowl-season poise last year.
• Coach Zac Taylor praised Flacco’s fit and leadership, noting his performance after filling in for Burrow last season helped secure the Bengals’ decision to bring him back.
• Current standings have Cincinnati atop the AFC North at 2-0, with a road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the schedule, highlighting the team’s stability without needing to part with Flacco.