Pittsburgh suddenly finds itself facing a familiar problem named Joe Flacco. The veteran quarterback once again handed the Steelers a loss, this time as Cincinnati’s Week 7 starter, pushing Pittsburgh to 0-2 over the last two seasons against him.
What makes it sting more is that Flacco wasn’t even a Week 1 starter in either case. Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher thinks it’s time to stop fighting fate.
Speaking on NFL Today, Cowher urged his old team to “just sign him in the offseason,” arguing that if the Steelers can’t beat him, they might as well join him. Flacco, now 40, has already worn three AFC North jerseys. Cowher believes Pittsburgh should complete the set.
Flacco’s resurgence reignites Bengals and shakes up Steelers talk
Flacco’s late-season revival has turned into one of the NFL’s most unexpected twists. Just three weeks after being benched by the Browns, he took over for the Bengals and delivered a 342-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 33–31 primetime win against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers at Paycor Stadium.
The victory snapped Cincinnati’s four-game losing streak and reignited talk of Joe Burrow’s possible return. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on ESPN’s This Is Football that “he really might” return, adding,
“My guess is the last two or three games of the season, he has a chance. But if they’re alive, then I think we really may see Burrow.”
With the Bengals sitting at 3–4, their schedule against the Jets, Cardinals, and Browns gives them a realistic chance to stay competitive.
Flacco’s composure and command of Zac Taylor’s offense were evident as Cincinnati scored on seven of its last eight drives.
Ja’Marr Chase broke a franchise record with 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown, while Tee Higgins added six receptions for 96 yards and another score. Running back Chase Brown topped 100 yards on the ground.
Despite his success, some league executives told The Athletic they’re unsure how long it will last. One executive said,
“They have elite wideouts, so they’ll have a chance to exploit defenses that aren’t good enough. But once teams adjust, we’ll see how much Flacco can counterpunch.”
For Pittsburgh, the situation adds irony. With Rodgers expected to retire after one season and Mason Rudolph or rookie Will Howard likely competing for the starting job, Cowher’s advice doesn’t sound entirely far-fetched.
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