Steelers’ upcoming primetime game gets a lot weirder following a rare in-division trade of a familiar face at quarterback
Guess who’s back and ready to play the Steelers next week?
There is never a dull moment in the AFC North. Just minutes after Mike Tomlin finished his weekly address on Tuesday, the team he talked about for 30 minutes swung a surprise trade. The Cleveland Browns, who will be traveling to Pittsburgh in Week 6 are starting Dillon Gabriel at quarterback.
Within that presser, Mike Tomlin was asked if he would tell his defense to make sure to keep Gabriel upright, the same way he told them last year against the Indianapolis Colts to prevent Joe Flacco from entering the game.
He kind of brushed it off, not really worrying about the potential of Flacco coming into this weekend’s contest. Well, Tomlin and the Steelers certainly won’t have to worry about Flacco this week, but they should expect to see him in full force on Thursday night next week.
Bengals make in-division trade with Browns for QB Joe Flacco
Cincinnati is on a three-game skid, falling to 2-3 after losing to the Detroit Lions on Sunday and showing little to no hope with Jake Browning at quarterback. At least with Flacco at the helm, you know he is going to let it rip and spread the ball to their elite selection of eligible pass catchers.
But what exactly are the Bengals getting in Flacco, and what should the Steelers expect on Thursday night next week? I reached out to Brandon Little of A to Z Sports Cleveland for some insight.
“The Cleveland Browns had to move on from Joe Flacco following their Week 4 game against the Detroit Lions in an effort to jumpstart their offense. Flacco was brought back to recapture some of his 2023 success in Cleveland, but that just didn’t happen this time around. The veteran quarterback committed eight turnovers through four games and was benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. Flacco still has the live arm he’s always been known for, but he’s lost the little mobility he once had, and his pocket presence was virtually non-existent in Cleveland.”
“If the Bengals can keep him clean, he’s capable of getting the ball to their star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. If not, things could get ugly — and there might not be much reason for Joe Burrow to return this season in Cincinnati. Flacco can pick up an offense quickly and has seen everything the league can throw at him. The Browns did right by giving him a chance to go somewhere and play.” – Little
The Steelers obviously know Flacco all too well. Whether it was his time with the Colts last year, the Browns before, or all his years with the Baltimore Ravens. Meaning next Thursday’s game against the Bengals just got way more compelling.
Pittsburgh Steelers News
Roman Wilson could be in a now-or-never situation amid injury concerns within the Pittsburgh Steelers’ WR room
Roman Wilson has an opportunity he can’t pass up in Pittsburgh.
