Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco has a long history with the Pittsburgh Steelers, featuring plenty of back-and-forth moments.<\/p>\n
The 2025 season might have been the most unique one for the veteran quarterback and his matchups with the Black and Gold. Of course, there was the Mike Tomlin comment about Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry being smarter than him<\/a> after trading Flacco within the AFC North to the Bengals. It helped Cincinnati after losing Joe Burrow for an extended stretch.<\/p>\n And now, thanks to Netflix\u2019s Quarterback show that released Tuesday, we have a behind-the-scenes look at Flacco against the Steelers after a hit from outside linebacker T.J. Watt in the Week 11 matchup at Acrisure Stadium.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the hit.<\/p>\n Watt was flagged on the play, driving Flacco into the turf after the quarterback threw a pass on 3rd-and-8 that fell incompetent early in the second quarter.<\/p>\n Flacco came into the game dealing with a shoulder injury that he suffered two weeks prior. In the Netflix show, Flacco was receiving treatment on his shoulder throughout the week leading up to the game. Prior to the matchup against the Steelers in Week 11, Flacco had practiced just one day due to the shoulder injury.<\/p>\n After Watt drove him into the turf, Netflix captured Flacco stating that Watt knew what he was doing.<\/p>\n Take a look.<\/p>\n \u201cMan, he fucked me up. He knew what he was doing, too,\u201d Flacco said of the hit on the sideline. \u201cOh, I think so, but he fucked me up. It was on my left side, but man, the way he bent me up\u2026this area right here, it just got extra fucked \u2014 my right pec.\u201d<\/p>\n It felt like a clean play at the time from Watt. He finished the play and likely didn\u2019t realize the veteran quarterback got rid of the football, considering Flacco\u2019s throwing arm was above Watt\u2019s head at the time of impact. But Watt landed on Flacco, leading to the flag.<\/p>\n It left Flacco in severe discomfort. After that play, the Steelers went on to pick off Flacco as former safety Kyle Dugger returned it 73 yards for a score.<\/a> It led the Steelers to a 34-12 blowout, avenging a previous 33-31 loss to the Bengals on Thursday Night Football earlier in the season.<\/p>\n \u201cHe knew what he was doing. He was like, \u2018I\u2019ve got a chance to hit him here. I\u2019m gonna take full advantage,\u201d Flacco said of the play. It didn\u2019t feel good. But that\u2019s football. That\u2019s the Steelers defense.\u201d<\/p>\n UPDATE, 1:35 pm:<\/p>\n Shortly after the backlash from Flacco occurred Tuesday morning, the veteran quarterback appeared on Glenn Clark Radio<\/a> with Clark, Jim Callis and Zach Moore and discussed his comments to Netflix.<\/p>\n Asked if he thinks the Steelers are dirty, Flacco pushed back on that line of thinking.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think so. I actually enjoy that part of the game\u2026,\u201d Flacco said on radio Tuesday, according to a tweet from the show. \u201cI remember talking about [the hit from TJ Watt last season], he probably knew I was banged up and that\u2019s part of the game.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen guys are hurt, it\u2019s your job to exploit that.\u201d<\/p>\n Are the Steelers dirty? @JoeFlacco<\/a>: “I don’t think so. I actually enjoy that part of the game\u2026 I remember talking about [the hit from TJ Watt last season], he probably knew I was banged up and that’s part of the game. When guys are hurt, it’s your job to exploit that.”<\/p>\n \u2014 Glenn Clark (@GlennClarkRadio) July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n That\u2019s part of the game. To Flacco\u2019s credit, he acknowledged that\u2019s football during the Netflix show. That\u2019s the defender\u2019s job, especially when trying to get after the quarterback.<\/p>\n