Mike Tomlin couldn't believe what he saw. Or rather, what he saw the Browns do.
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The Steelers coach told reporters he was shocked that Cleveland traded quarterback Joe Flacco to the division-rival Bengals last week. Cincinnati had dropped three straight with Jake Browning filling in for the injured Joe Burrow, and the move conceivably gave them an immediate upgrade under center.
"To be honest, it was shocking to me," Tomlin said. "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 starter to a divisional opponent that's hurting in that area. But that's just my personal feeling."
Flacco made his Bengals debut Sunday in a loss to the Packers, but Tomlin believes it's only a matter of time before the veteran settles in. He called Flacco "savvy" and said he expects the former Super Bowl MVP to be "significantly better" when the Bengals face the Steelers on Thursday night.
Cleveland traded Flacco just months after he helped lead them to the postseason, a decision that raised eyebrows across the NFL — and clearly inside Pittsburgh's locker room.
Tomlin may not understand the Browns' logic, but he'll happily take any advantage it gives his own team. The Steelers already beat the Flacco-less Browns 23-9 on Sunday, and now they'll see the other side of that decision in real time.
