Several weeks ago, a major trade shook up the NFL landscape, particularly in the AFC North. The Cleveland Browns sent veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, a team struggling amid the loss of starter Joe Burrow to injury for a significant stretch of the season.
That trade sparked blunt remarks by Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who questioned the reason a deal would occur like that between two teams in the same division. In particular, Tomlin indicated he didn’t understand why one team might help out a division rival in need of a solid starting QB.
“You know, to be honest, it was shocking to me. Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than us, because 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 that’s hurting in that area,” Tomlin told reporters.
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Those remarks arrived ahead of a clash in “Thursday Night Football” where Flacco and the Bengals will host Tomlin’s Steelers, led by veteran QB Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers and Flacco, both at least 40, are reportedly good friends since they’ve been in the league together for so long. Both are former Super Bowl winners, with Rodgers leading the Green Bay Packers to a championship, and Flacco leading the Ravens to one.
Ahead of what some have joked is the “Icy Hot Bowl” between the two older quarterbacks, Flacco gave his honest reaction to Tomlin criticizing the huge trade.
“I didn’t get to see how upset he was. But, you know, I think he’s probably just playing the game a little bit and doing whatever he has to do,” he said during Tuesday’s press conference.
In a 27-18 loss to Green Bay during Week 6, Flacco finished with 29-of-45 completions for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Before his arrival, the team relied on backup Jake Browning, who suffered three losses in his three starts.
Tomlin’s remarks arrived after his Steelers defeated the Browns, 23-9. Pittsburgh will attempt to improve to 5-1 with a win at Cincinnati, while the Bengals try to improve their 2-4 record with a win.
Most likely, Tomlin was attempting to stir things up a bit with his comments. His criticism was directed more at the Browns’ general manager than Flacco or the Bengals, though. According to an NFL report, he also admitted during his remarks that the trade “certainly made sense from Cincinnati’s perspective.”
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