The mess unfolding in Cleveland has left one AFC North rival stunned.
Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers picked up a 23-9 win over Kevin Stefanski’s struggling Browns on Sunday.
With Dillon Gabriel under center, Cleveland is now 1-5 this season.
Against Pittsburgh, the rookie was starting just his second NFL game, and now carries the hopes of the offense on his shoulders.
That’s because veteran quarterback Joe Flacco was traded away last week.
He’s joined another of the Browns AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, and it’s fair to say the move left Tomlin rather confused.
Steelers HC fires shots over Flacco trade
“To be honest, it was shocking to me,” Tomlin told reporters, ahead of Pittsburgh’s Week 7 game against Flacco and the Bengals.
He then tore into Cleveland’s general manager.
“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.”
While he slammed Berry and the Browns, Tomlin couldn’t find fault with the Bengals for their part in the divisional QB trade, adding: “It certainly made sense from Cincinnati’s perspective.”
He then stormed out of his interview when asked how hard it is to ‘show up and start two games in eight days for a new team’ as Flacco will do.
Tomlin was left stunned by Cleveland’s decision to trade FlaccoGetty“Y’all were annoying me today,” Tomlin told reporters, as he walked away.
The Steelers HC wasn’t the only one left confused by Flacco’s move across Ohio, with linebacker Patrick Queen suggesting the move was ‘crazy’.
“Him being over there, that’s crazy how he got traded in the division like that,” he told 93.7 The Fan on Monday.
Stefanski offers blunt response to Flacco trade backlash
It didn’t take long for Tomlin’s comments to get back to Browns head coach Stefanski, who was asked for his response during Monday’s media availability.
“I don’t have a comment on that,” he said.
While Stefanski refused to respond to Tomlin’s shots, Browns linebacker Devin Bush did offer his thoughts.
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Flacco made his Bengals debut against Green Bay and will suit up against the SteelersGetty“He’s been in the AFC North his whole career, he’s made a living here,” Bush said of Tomlin.
“I’m sure, when he saw that trade inside the same division, of course it’s going to put everyone on high alert.
“It’s an in-division trade, but that’s a call between the higher ups. Whatever they got for it, I’m sure they liked it and they pulled the trigger.”
What did the Browns receive for ‘crazy’ QB trade?
Flacco, who had started four games for the Browns in 2025, was sent to the Bengals with a 2026 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for a fifth-round selection next year.
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The rare mid-season acquisition for Cincinnati came after backup Jake Browning lost three-straight games in place of the injured Joe Burrow.
Cincy lost to the Green Bay Packers in Flacco’s debut.
The veteran finished 29/45 for 219 yards and two touchdowns. He committed no turnovers in the 27-18 loss.
In an injury-riddled division, which is also home to the 1-5 Baltimore Ravens, Flacco’s arrival instantly makes the 2-4 Bengals a more competitive team.
Flacco offers hope to the Bengals in an injury hit AFC North divisionGettyThat’s clearly left Tomlin and the AFC North-leading Steelers (4-1) frustrated heading into a Thursday Night Football match up at Paycor Stadium.
“It’s reasonable to expect him to be significantly better in (his second game),” the HC said of Flacco.
“He’s been in the stadium with them. They’ve been in the stadium with him. They understand his demeanor, how he deals with circumstances.
“Certainly, we’ve got a full week’s work ahead of us in terms of minimizing a veteran, savvy talented thrower like him.
“That certainly has our attention.”
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