Steelers’ Coach Mike Tomlin Criticizes Browns’ Joe Flacco Trade Decision
Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, expressed his surprise regarding the Cleveland Browns’ recent decision to trade veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals. Flacco, who started his career with the Baltimore Ravens, is set to make his second start with the Bengals on “Thursday Night Football” this week.
Tomlin’s Reaction to the Flacco Trade
During a media session on Monday, Tomlin described the trade as “shocking.” He questioned the reasoning behind the Browns’ decision, noting, “(Browns general manager) Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me.” Tomlin emphasized the oddity of trading a player who was the starting quarterback for Cleveland to a rival team in their division.
Flacco’s Career Journey
Flacco began his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens after being drafted in 2008. Following his time with the Ravens, he played for the Denver Broncos and held two stints with the Browns. The latest tenure with the Browns started in April when he signed a one-year contract.
- Career Highlights:
- Drafted by Ravens in 2008
- Played for Broncos before joining the Browns
- Performance with the Browns:
- Completed two touchdowns and had six interceptions in four games
- Benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel
Bengals Acquisition and Expectations
The Bengals acquired Flacco after losing their star quarterback, Joe Burrow, to a toe injury in Week 2. The trade involved a Day 3 pick swap in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cincinnati quickly named Flacco their starting quarterback.
In his debut for the Bengals, Flacco threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns despite a loss to the Green Bay Packers. Tomlin acknowledged Flacco’s strengths, calling him a capable passer with “arm strength, arm accuracy, and fluid movement.”
Bengals Coach’s Perspective
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor reacted to Tomlin’s remarks about the trade. He simply stated, “I was happy. That’s my only comment.” This trade highlights the complexities of intra-division transactions in the NFL.
Upcoming Matchup
Flacco’s upcoming game against the Steelers will mark the 26th meeting between him and Tomlin’s squad. Historically, the Steelers hold a slight advantage with a record of 13 wins to 12 losses against Flacco.
As the season progresses, the implications of this trade and Flacco’s performance will undoubtedly influence the dynamics within the division and the playoff race.
