Mike Tomlin was shocked to see the Cleveland Browns trade Joe Flacco to AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, with the veteran issuing a message to the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach
05:41 ET, 17 Oct 2025
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(Image: AP)
Joe Flacco has given his thoughts on Mike Tomlin's verdict on the Cleveland Browns' decision to trade the veteran quarterback after he helped the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.
Last week, the Browns sent veteran Joe Flacco to the Bengals, shortly after benching him in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. Cleveland is struggling through another rebuilding year, holding a 1‑5 record. It was a decision that baffled Steelers head coach Tomlin, with Pittsburgh, Bengals, and Browns all sharing the AFC North division with the Baltimore Ravens.
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"You know, to be honest, it was shocking to me," Tomlin said days before his Steelers took on Flacco's Bengals. "[Browns general manager] Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or 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. But that's just my personal feelings."
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Flacco went on to roll back the years against the Steelers and put on a clinic against another fellow veteran NFL quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
The Bengals ran out 33-31 winners in an action-packed Thursday Night Football, with Flacco (342 yards, three touchdowns) and Rodgers (249 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions) throwing for a combined 591 yards and seven touchdowns.
Flacco found Bengals star receiver Ja'Marr Chase 16 times for 161 yards and a touchdown. After the game, Flacco addressed Steelers head coach Tomlin's shock at the Browns' decision to trade him, citing their many battles down the years.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco shakes hands with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco shakes hands with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers(Image: Getty)
"I mean, you know, listen, I have so much respect for Mike and the battles that we've had, you know, in Pittsburgh, in Baltimore," Flacco said.
"I played him last year in Indianapolis. I always find a way to play them. I love playing them, and I didn't really feel that way to begin with.
"I didn't love going into Heinz Field, and, you know, my rookie year, they beat us three times. But those games against those guys, like in my career, those games have been different than others, and just the physicality and the energy.
Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers congratulates Joe Flacco of the Cincinnati Bengals after the game at Paycor Stadium
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Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers congratulates Joe Flacco of the Cincinnati Bengals after the game at Paycor Stadium(Image: Getty)
"Mike's been doing it so long and has those guys ready to play every single week for so long now.
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"Nothing but respect for him and, you know, how he gets those guys ready, and I love going against them. And, you know, when I look back on it all, it's the wins and the losses.
"I love all the games. Honestly, when I tell stories, a lot of the great stories come from some of the losses and the bad games you had. And with him and with them, there's plenty of those."