T
he Cincinnati Bengals have a quarterback crisis. Losing star Joe Burrow to an injury in the second game of the season that will keep him out for a minimum of three months, the Bengals were forced to rely on backup, Jake Browning, to keep them afloat until Burrow returns. But since Browning took over, the Bengals have looked like a shell of themselves, losing four straight games. And their offense is among the league’s worst without Burrow.
That led the Bengals to make a desperate trade for a quarterback, acquiring 40-year-old veteran, Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. Immediately upon joining the Bengals, Flacco was named the team’s starting quarterback and even though they lost his first game under center, the offense looked much improved. Flacco going to a division rival has some scratching their heads, particularly Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin.
Tomlin Comments on the Trade
The Browns and Bengals are major rivals, and in most cases, division foes do not complete trades with each other. The fact that the Browns and Bengals did a trade with each other already raises questions, but considering Flacco’s veteran status around the league and his pedigree, Tomlin was left scratching his head.
“To be honest, it was shocking to me,” Tomlin said on Oct. 13. “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.”
It is not very common for other teams’ coaches or personnel to comment on a trade that didn’t involve them. But with the Steelers and Bengals set to square off in week seven on Thursday Night Football, the comments from Tomlin made sense. Tomlin and the Steelers are coming off of a win over the Browns in week six, but now instead of worrying about a faltering Bengals’ offense led by Browning, they now have Flacco– a Super Bowl champion– to worry about.
Tomlin Recognizes the Fit
While Tomlin did voice his confusion over the Browns making the move, he was quick to acknowledge that it was a good move for the Bengals. Flacco is nearing the end of his NFL career, but he is showing that he can still play at a high level and provide the Bengals what Browning was struggling to do.
“It certainly made sense from Cincinnati’s perspective,” Tomlin said. “… He can throw the football, and he’s always been able to throw the football — arm strength, arm accuracy, anticipatory passer, fluid movement through progressions. That’s always been his game.”
Starting the season at 2-0 and looking like a much improved team from last year, the Bengals are now 2-4 with their season hanging by a thread. The team desperately wants Burrow back but for now, they hope that Flacco can turn their season around and keep them in the playoff chase in the interim.
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