Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Calls out Andrew Berry for Trading Joe Flacco to Bengals

Ahead of the Steelers divisional matchup against the Bengals, Mike Tomlin questioned Cincinnati trading for Joe Flacco and the Browns agreeing to go through with it.

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Calls out Andrew Berry for Trading Joe Flacco to Bengals

Joe Flacco and Mike Tomlin (Image via IMAGO)

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A perplexed Mike Tomlin did not hesitate to raise questions about Joe Flacco’s trade to the Cincinnati Bengals after securing a win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday (October 12). Instead of poaching Jameis Winston from New York, the Bengals settled for 40-year-old Flacco, who lost his place in the starting lineup to a rookie.

Cincinnati’s front office found itself in a little pinch after Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending injury. They took a double whammy when backup Jake Browning chucked 8 interceptions in four games (the first one was a substitute appearance).

Even though head coach Zac Taylor seemed comfortable with the Washington graduate at the helm, the Bengals took the shocking decision to trade for Flacco from Cleveland, much to the dismay of Browning.

It caused a lot of commotion, whether on online forums or on TV discussions. Why did the Bengals sign an aging quarterback who just a week ago had lost his starting job to a rookie on an equally awful team?

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin bluntly took a shot at the business after his team handed a 23-9 defeat to the Browns.

To be honest, it was shocking to me. 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. 

Mike Tomlin said

According to reports, the Bengals tried out Mike White and Sean Clifford after the week four loss. White did not make it, and Clifford stayed on as a practice squad member.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Bengals also inquired about Sam Howell of the Philadelphia Eagles.

They had to go get some sort of bargain quarterback, and they had to do something and shake things up. They checked in on Sam Howell, Tyler Huntley [Baltimore Ravens], and Drew Lock [Seattle Seahawks]. They checked in on quarterbacks across the league. Ultimately, they felt, and we’ll see if they’re right, that Joe Flacco was the one who could bring a spark to their offense, that would fit into their offense and would keep these receivers, who are being paid a lot of money, happy.

Adam Schefter said on Sunday NFL Countdown (H/T: Nj.com)

The Bengals eventually settled with Flacco. Cincinnati sent a fifth-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for the Super Bowl winner, along with a sixth-round pick.

How did Joe Flacco perform in his Bengals debut?

To get him up to speed, head coach Zac Taylor sent his new starter a specialized playbook tailored in a way that mirrored his plays in Cleveland. As it was a short week, he had to memorize those during the travel.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Calls out Andrew Berry for Trading Joe Flacco to Bengals
Joe Flacco (Image via IMAGO)

Luckily for Flacco, the Bengals were scheduled to play the Green Bay Packers, the only team he had defeated this year with his former club.

Flacco threw 29 completions from 45 attempts for 219 yards and two touchdowns. He managed to get star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on the scoring charts for the first time since Week 2.

However, his spotless performance was not enough to secure a win. The Packers proved they were the better team on the day, even though Jordan Love threw an interception (the Bengals’ first takeaway of the year).

The Packers won the game 27-18 and improved their record to 3-1-1, while the Bengals are 2-4. Flacco’s next for the Bengals is against Tomlin’s Steelers, who defeated the Browns and currently lead the AFC North with a 4-1 record.

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