Mike Tomlin’s Bold Reaction to Browns’ Joe Flacco Trade: ‘It Just Doesn’t Add Up’

Mike Tomlin is no stranger to Joe Flacco. The veteran quarterback will face Tomlin and the Steelers again on “Thursday Night Football.” This time, Flacco is starting for the Cincinnati Bengals after being traded from the Cleveland Browns.

Tomlin expressed surprise about the trade during a recent media session. He remarked, “To be honest, it was shocking to me. It doesn’t make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening day starter to a division opponent.” His candid thoughts suggest some lingering questions about the Browns’ decision-making.

Flacco’s journey in the NFL has been eventful. He spent 11 years with the Baltimore Ravens after being drafted in 2008. Over the years, he has moved around quite a bit. After the Ravens, he had a stint with the Denver Broncos before returning to the Browns. This season, he struggled to keep the starting position in Cleveland, throwing only two touchdowns against six interceptions before being replaced by rookie Dillon Gabriel.

The Bengals picked him up to fill the gap left by their star quarterback, Joe Burrow, who is sidelined with a toe injury. Cincinnati traded a Day 3 pick swap in the 2026 NFL Draft for Flacco and appointed him as their starter immediately. In his first game with the Bengals, he threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns but the team lost to the Packers.

Tomlin acknowledged that from Cincinnati’s viewpoint, acquiring Flacco does make sense. He praised Flacco’s strong arm and accuracy, noting that he has always been a skilled passer. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor seemed pleased about the trade, simply stating, “I was happy. That’s my only comment.”

This matchup isn’t just about the players; it’s also a battle of strategies and histories. In total, Flacco has faced Tomlin’s Steelers 25 times, with a nearly even record of 13 wins and 12 losses. As the game approaches, it will be interesting to see how Flacco adapts to his new environment and how Tomlin plans to counter his experience.

For more insights on trade impacts and player performances, check out this NFL analysis.

Source link

Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers