The sentiments from Mike Tomlin werent surprising.
The decision to express them publicly, on the other hand, turned heads.
How does the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach really feel about the Cleveland Browns sending Joe Flacco across the AFC North to the Cincinnati Bengals?
To be honest, it was shocking to me, Tomlin said Monday. [Browns 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.
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Perhaps Tomlins decision to air his personal feelings publicly was just a friendly jab at the divisional rival his Steelers beat, 23-9, on Sunday. Or perhaps Tomlin wanted to send a message to the AFC North that anything less than maximal competitive spirit within the division will be scorned.
But if Tomlin truly believes the Browns shipping off Flacco and a sixth-round draft pick to the Bengals last week made no sense, its a testament to the divergent history of the franchises since Tomlin became Steelers head coach in 2007.
Those vastly different experiences demand the Browns operate within a different structure than the Steelers do.
The 1-5 Browns can hope for, and perhaps strive for, a playoff berth this season. Their defense is talented and productive enough to thrive in the postseason. But a dysfunctional offense is on track to wreck any further playoff viability.
The Browns odds of winning the AFC North are +6000, per BetMGM. Their odds to make the playoffs at all are +1800, equivalent to the New York Giants.
So the Browns should not worry about Flacco using his Cleveland intel this week when the Bengals and Browns face off again later this season. Thats a 2025 problem and the Browns focus overwhelmingly should be on what capital they can use to contend in 2026 and beyond.
Add in a need to evaluate rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in order to strategize the 2026 NFL Draft that is expected to have higher-end quarterback talent than its predecessor, and the Browns decision to give the keys to their third- and fifth-round rookies makes sense.
Another concept that makes sense: Tomlin viewing a rebuild mentality as foreign.
In Pittsburgh, losing seasons predate plenty of the fan bases lifetime. Tomlin is riding his 19th straight season as head coach without a losing season a stretch during which the Browns are on track to post a losing record for the 16th time.
Think about that: In 18 completed seasons with Tomlin in the AFC North, the Steelers have hit at least .500 18 times. The Browns have done so just three times in the same period.
Even when the Steelers were in the quarterback wilderness after Ben Roethlisberger, Tomlins foundation was still solid enough to win most games.
Thats a wholly different starting point than where the Browns, and especially the Browns front office, should begin their strategizing. Cleveland has again reached a point when winning week to week cannot be its only goal. At this point in the season, though the Browns will let their actions show it more than their words, they cant even let in-season wins be their primary goal.
Stefanskis comments attributing the Flacco trade to Berrys decision further underscored the difference that often arises between front office and coaching priorities on losing teams.
Sure, winning builds a culture and no ones saying the Browns should tank. But their top goal this year needs to be assessing their rookie quarterbacks to determine how to strategize the 2026 goal.
Add to that (or put in contrast with that, depending on your perspective) the reality that the Browns offensive cast appears so subpar that no quarterback will succeed, and getting any return for Flacco should be considered above expectation for the Browns future building.
Could the Browns have commanded more for Flacco, given the in-division request and Bengals desperation not to lose their locker room nor their players developmental arcs to pair with an MVP-caliber talent in Joe Burrow upon return?
Perhaps. But the Browns moved up a draft round for a quarterback who posted a 60.3 passer rating with them, completing 58.1 percent of passes as he threw two touchdowns to six interceptions.
The Browns didnt expect to command much return for that performance, Stefanski saying a top surprise in the Flacco trade was the Bengals decision to call and initiate it.
That part didnt surprise Tomlin.
It certainly made sense from Cincinnati’s perspective, Tomlin said Monday. 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.