Tomlin questions Browns GM over Flacco trade
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin criticized Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry after he traded quarterback Joe Flacco to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals.
"To be honest, it was shocking to me," Tomlin told reporters Monday when asked about the move, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "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."
Mike Tomlin doesn’t often criticize other front office execs, especially not by name, but he had some thoughts on Andrew Berry’s decision to trade Joe Flacco to the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/eiKV4UhEGz
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 13, 2025
Flacco started four games for the Browns in 2025 before being benched for rookie Dillon Gabriel and subsequently traded. Cleveland sent the 40-year-old signal-caller and a 2026 sixth-round pick to Cincinnati in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round selection. Flacco fell short in his debut with the Bengals, losing 27-18 to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) play the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) on Thursday Night Football. Tomlin said it would be "reasonable" to expect Flacco to make significant strides in his second outing with the Bengals, according to The Athletic's Mike DeFabo.
Tomlin added that he doesn't fault the Bengals for acquiring Flacco after placing Joe Burrow on injured reserve with turf toe. Cincinnati made the trade after Jake Browning posted a 0-3 record as the starter following Burrow's injury. The Bengals reportedly explored several veteran options before finding a trade partner in Cleveland.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski avoided responding to Tomlin's remarks, saying he doesn't "have a comment on that," per The Athletic's Zac Jackson.