Mike Tomlin held one of his most animated and entertaining press conferences in quite some time on Monday, especially following a 23-9 victory against the Cleveland Browns.
As the Steelers prepare to play
the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, there will be a new face at quarterback for their AFC North rival.
Cleveland traded Joe Flacco to Cincinnati last Tuesday, in a deal involving day-three pick swaps, following the veteran quarterback’s benching for rookie Dillon Gabriel. Flacco, 40, turned around and played for Cincinnati in Green Bay on Sunday.
Tomlin couldn’t believe the news when he heard it.
“To be honest, it was shocking to me,” Tomlin said.
Flacco started Cleveland’s first four games, finishing 1-3 with a defeat of the Packers at home. Head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry ultimately decided to give Gabriel, a third-round selection out of Oregon, his first start in London before playing in Pittsburgh.
“Andrew Berry must be smarter than me or us,” Tomlin said. “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.”
Flacco will likely play the Steelers twice, barring injury, starting this week in Cincinnati. He’s thrown for 1,034 yards, four touchdowns, and six interceptions in five games between the two Ohio pro teams. Flacco finished 29-of-45 for 219 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-19 loss on Sunday.
Tomlin said the deal definitely made sense for Cincinnati, and seemingly doesn’t understand the Browns’ reasoning.
Flacco immediately replaced Jake Browning as the Bengals starter, who threw eight picks, fumbled once, and was sacked nine times in four games, three starts, in relief of the injured Joe Burrow (turf toe).
The Steelers aim to improve to 5-1 and grow their lead in the AFC North, currently ahead of the Bengals by two and a half games to win the division.
