Joe Flacco's recent trade from the Cleveland Browns to AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, has raised some eyebrows within the NFL.
Flacco was traded to Zac Taylor's team last week along with a 2026 sixth round pick in exchange for the Browns receiving a 2026 fifth round pick.
The Super Bowl XLVII MVP was acquired by the Bengals to cope with the turf-toe injury that star quarterback Joe Burrow is dealing with until at least late-December.
Flacco displaced Jake Browning to make his first appearance for the Bengals in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers on the road.
Despite recording two touchdown passes at Lambeau Field, the 40-year-old was unable to snap his new team's losing run as they fell to 2-4 for the year through a 27-18 loss to Matt LaFleur's men.
Flacco will make his home debut for the Bengals when divisional opponents, the Pittsburgh Steelers, visit on Thursday Night Football (October 16).
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Flacco trade criticised by Steelers head coach
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked what he thought of his team's Week 7 opponents bringing in Flacco to help sort their quarterback situation.
The 53-year-old did not hold back in his assessment of the situation, taking aim at Browns general manager Andrew Berry.
"To be honest, it was shocking to me. Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us," he told reporters on Monday (October 13).
"It doesn't make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you make your opening-day starter to a division opponent that's hurting in that area," Tomlin explained. "That's just my personal feelings."
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Despite not being able to make much sense of the Flacco trade, the Steelers head coach is wary of the threat that the Bengals' new quarterback poses.
"It's reasonable to expect him to be significantly better in (his second Bengals match)."
"Certainly, we've got work ahead of us in terms of minimising a veteran, savvy talented thrower like him. That certainly has our attention."
The Steelers will be looking to move to 5-1 for the season when they visit Paycor Stadium on Thursday, while the Bengals will be hoping Flacco can help end their four-game losing streak.
Since benching Flacco and starting rookie Dillon Gabriel, the Browns are 1-1 and host the struggling Miami Dolphins in Week 7.