A trade for Cirelli would be a home run swing by the Canadiens.
Joe Flacco admits how he really feels about returning to Baltimore to play the Ravens as the Browns’ starting quarterback
Posted September 12, 2025
Joe Flacco spent 11 years as the Baltimore Ravens’ starting quarterback and helped them capture a Super Bowl during his time there. Since then, Flacco has played for four different teams, including two stints with the Cleveland Browns. Now back with the Browns for a second time, Flacco is better equipped to be the guy with a full training camp under his belt. He played well enough for the Browns to win their Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but Cleveland came out on the losing end, 17-16.
In Week 2, when the Browns travel to take on the Ravens, it will mark the first time Flacco starts against Baltimore in their home stadium. He has suited up against the Ravens in the past, but never faced them as an opponent in Baltimore. That will change in a tough matchup against a Ravens team coming off a 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills, a game in which Baltimore blew a two-possession lead in the fourth quarter.
Joe Flacco gets real about his first return to Baltimore
“You know, we all know kind of the story there and yeah, like, I have nothing but love for the people in that facility and the people in that city,” Flacco said earlier in the week. “I mean, for sure, it’s one of those things, like, in the NFL, there’s a business side of it and things happen. I’m fortunate to be where I am today and be in this position, but I have nothing but love for that city and for that organization. I mean, I was a small-school guy that they took a little bit of a chance on early on in the draft and kind of… I have so many good memories with those people in that city and that stadium, so very special place.”
Flacco started all 163 games he played for the Ravens over 11 seasons after being drafted in the first round out of Delaware. Baltimore selected Lamar Jackson to be his successor, and that move worked out well for the franchise. Since then, Flacco has primarily been a backup but has had opportunities to start — including five games with the Browns in 2023 and several starts last year with the Indianapolis Colts.
“I think I’m very capable of just seeing it as another division game. But it will be cool to go back in that stadium. I haven’t had a chance to do it since I played there. I really love playing there. It’s an awesome place to play. It’s an awesome venue. It’s an awesome atmosphere. They do a great job. So, I love playing there. So, I think in that respect, it will be pretty cool to go back for sure.”
Flacco and the Browns threw for 290 yards in the opener against Cincinnati, and they should be able to find success through the air against Baltimore. Cleveland must also establish the run, and it’s possible that Quinshon Judkins’ return could help that effort. Flacco approaches the matchup like a seasoned veteran, but Sunday will be a special moment for him—even if he won’t fully admit it.
Cirelli is projected to be a valuable asset - the trade talks are heating up
The Montreal Canadiens have been undergoing a period of rebuilding for some time.
They pulled off one of the biggest deals of the summer – acquiring offensive defender Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. We proposes a deal that would accelerate the Eastern Conference team’s exit from its rebuilding phase by acquiring Anthony Cirelli from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Canadiens Acquire:
- Anthony Cirelli
Lightning Acquire:
- Patrik Laine
A deal of this magnitude would undoubtedly be a blockbuster. Patrik Laine is an established NHLer who can produce goals and points. Cirelli is a top-six center whose two-way prowess is widely recognized throughout the league. Cirelli would immediately become a vital piece for the Canadiens moving forward.
While others have speculated that a player like Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins would be a helpful piece, Cirelli is a better option.
Montreal Canadiens Need To Move Salary Out
According to PuckPedia, the Canadiens are $4.519 million over the salary cap ceiling. Swapping Laine for Cirelli doesn’t cure what ails their salary cap situation, but it lightens the load.
Laine will make $8.7 million in the 2025-26 season. He is in the final year of his contract, and the Canadiens must start thinking about whether they should retain him in their ranks or not. By executing this proposed swap, they acquire a player who is signed for a long time at a lower cap hit than Laine.
Cirelli is in the third year of an eight-year contract paying him $6.25 million, which is $2.5 million less than Laine’s. This deal would get them closer to the ceiling, but another deal would need to happen to bring them even closer.
Another consideration could be to involve another team to retain salary on Laine’s contract. This would give the Lightning a more affordable contract to acquire, providing them with a greater incentive to make the deal.
Anthony Cirelli’s Surprising Offensive Game
Cirelli displayed another level to his offensive game in 2024-25. In 80 games played, he recorded career highs in goals (27), assists (32), points (59), shorthanded points (7), and time on ice (18:41).
Had Cirelli played for the Canadiens during this past season, he would have had the fourth-most points. The only Canadiens with more than 59 points last year were Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Lane Hutson.
Getting that kind of offensive boost to the top-six forward group is something that the Canadiens should be all over.
