Could a 40-year-old quarterback, seemingly past his prime, become a major threat to the Pittsburgh Steelers? That's the question looming over the team as they prepare to face Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals. Last Tuesday, as Mike Tomlin returned from the Steelers' bye week, the news broke: the Bengals had acquired Flacco from the Cleveland Browns for a Day Three draft pick. This marked the first trade between the two Ohio rivals since the Browns' return to the NFL in 1999, and while it might seem like a minor transaction to some, it carries significant weight for Tomlin and the Steelers.
Flacco, despite his age, represents a potential spark for a Bengals team struggling to find its footing after losing starting quarterback Joe Burrow to injury. He began the season with the Browns, starting four games and throwing only 2 touchdowns compared to 6 interceptions, resulting in a dismal 60.3 passer rating – the worst in the league. But here's where it gets controversial... could a change of scenery and a team desperate for a quarterback truly revive his career, even at this stage?
In less than a week after the trade, Flacco found himself starting for the Bengals, and he nearly led them to a victory against the Green Bay Packers. He completed 29 of 45 passes for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns, without throwing a single interception. His passer rating that Sunday soared to 90.9, a dramatic improvement from his time with the Browns. For the Bengals, who started the season strong at 2-0 before Burrow's injury, Flacco's arrival offered a glimmer of hope. Before Flacco, with Jake Browning at quarterback, the Bengals struggled immensely, scoring only 16 points in two and three-quarters games. They did manage three fourth-quarter touchdowns in a lopsided loss to the Detroit Lions, but it was clear they needed a change, leading to the trade for Flacco just two days later.
Despite the Bengals' 2-4 record and their loss on Sunday, there's a sense that Flacco has reignited their offensive potential. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about Flacco's individual performance. It's about the confidence and energy he brings to the entire team.
"On the offensive side, certainly the story is Joe Flacco," Tomlin acknowledged. "It's reasonable to expect him to be significantly better in Week Two. 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. I would imagine they worked hard a week ago on developing timing and cohesion. I'd imagine it's taken a significant step after having done so under some live football circumstances. I saw him make some anticipatory throws even last week. I thought he was significantly better as the game wore on."
Tomlin continued, "And so certainly we've got a full week's work ahead of us in terms of minimizing a veteran, savvy, talented thrower like him, coupled with the eligibles that they have. That certainly has our attention." He emphasized the challenge of facing an experienced quarterback like Flacco, especially with the short preparation time. Is it difficult for a new quarterback to play with less than a week’s preparation? "It doesn't appear to be hard for Joe Flacco," Tomlin responded. "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."
Of course, it helps that Flacco has two exceptional wide receivers in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase had 10 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown against the Packers, while Higgins recorded a season-high 5 receptions for 62 yards. These are the kinds of players that can elevate a quarterback's performance, regardless of their age or experience.
Tomlin acknowledged that these receiving threats were a key consideration when the Steelers acquired cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, and Brandin Echols this offseason, and likely influenced the decision to draft Joey Porter Jr. in 2023. "Absolutely," Tomlin affirmed. "You better have some corners taller than me if you're dealing with the likes of Tee Higgins and people like that, and so certainly."
He elaborated on the importance of divisional matchups and how teams strategically acquire players to counter their rivals' strengths. "That's something that we talk about as a collective, the intimacy of divisional relationships. It's just a component of the game. You better stack up good against those that you compete against, in a lot of ways. And so, I'm sure people acquire secondary people to match up with that collective. Baltimore took a first-round corner in Nate Wiggins the other year, I'm sure, with that group in mind. The Bengals have taken right tackles in recent years I'm sure to minimize T.J. (Watt)'s impact in that relationship. That's divisional play. That's what makes it so challenging and so exciting."
The Steelers' defense showed improvement in their recent 23-9 victory over the Browns, with their complete secondary healthy for the first time. They allowed a passer rating of just 66.3 against the Browns, a significant drop from the 92.2 they had allowed through the first four games. Similarly, their yards per reception allowed decreased from 11.8 to 7.6.
Ramsey and Porter's return from injury played a crucial role in this defensive turnaround. Aaron Rodgers even praised Ramsey's dedication after the game. "I just can't say enough about the level of respect I have for him," Rodgers said. "If there was any question about the type of person that he is – take away the incredible player – but the person and teammate, I think he just showed all of us the kind of guy that he is by going out there and playing today."
Tomlin echoed this sentiment, stating, "It's certainly a shining example of what professional football is about. But I doubt that any of us are surprised by it. Just having been around him since he's gotten here, that's very consistent behavior with what he's displayed throughout. And personally, for a guy like me who has scouted him since he was at Florida State, I certainly know that's a component of his football character. So I'm certainly not surprised by it. But it doesn't mean that we don't appreciate it. Not only do we appreciate his willingness to play, we appreciate his playmaking, and you need both in order for it to be real, and he certainly provided both."
As for Porter, who returned after missing three games, Tomlin said, "I thought it was a good game, first game back. I look forward to him to continue to get better. Certainly got a big test coming on Thursday night." So, the stage is set. The Steelers face a Bengals team revitalized by a veteran quarterback, and their defense will need to be at its best to contain Flacco and his talented receivers. But here's the question: Can a team built to stop one type of offense quickly adapt to something completely different? And is it truly fair to judge Flacco's recent success based on just one game? We'd love to hear your thoughts – do you think Flacco is a legitimate threat to the Steelers, or is this just a temporary boost for the Bengals? Let us know in the comments below!
