The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback drama took another shocking turn as Mike Tomlin’s decision to start Joe Flacco over Aaron Rodgers sent shockwaves through the NFL. Flacco’s surprising resurgence has overshadowed Rodgers’ legendary status, raising questions about Pittsburgh’s future under center.
With the Browns preparing for a Week 6 clash, Cleveland must now strategize against Flacco’s reinvigorated arm instead of Rodgers’ proven pedigree. Tomlin’s bold move exposes a stark contrast to Cleveland’s cautious approach, setting the stage for a high-stakes divisional showdown.
As tickets sell fast for Flacco’s revenge game, Steelers fans grapple with a reality few predicted: their season may hinge on a 40-year-old castoff outplaying a future Hall of Famer.
- Joe Flacco has emerged as the Browns’ likely starter over former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett, highlighting Cleveland’s ongoing QB uncertainty.
- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s reluctance to pursue Flacco contrasts with the Browns’ gamble, fueling debates about quarterback evaluation strategies.
- Week 6’s Steelers-Browns showdown gains intrigue as Flacco faces Pittsburgh, with fans eager to see if the veteran can outduel Aaron Rodgers.
Community Reactions
- 匿名タマネギ (2025-10-08)
Hot take: Will Howard starts by Week 10. Rodgers gets hurt, Flacco falters, and suddenly the sixth-rounder’s their best option.
- 匿名ブロッコリー (2025-10-08)
Lol at Browns fans buying Flacco tickets like he’s the savior. Dude was ‘consensus worst’ at OTAs six months ago.
- 匿名マッシュルーム (2025-10-08)
Who cares about Flacco vs. Rodgers? The real story is Pittsburgh’s defense carrying this team AGAIN. Five turnovers last week!
- 匿名オリーブ (2025-10-08)
Defense can’t score touchdowns forever. Eventually this offense needs to wake up or the AFC North will eat them alive.
- 匿名オリーブ (2025-10-08)
“Did Joe Flacco Really Outplay Aaron Rodgers? Breaking Down Week 5 Stats”
The Steelers’ Week 5 matchup saw veteran QB Joe Flacco deliver a surprisingly efficient performance against Rodgers’ Packers, completing 22 of 28 passes for 245 yards and 2 TDs. Meanwhile, Rodgers struggled with accuracy, throwing for just 198 yards and 1 interception.
Key differences emerged:
- Flacco’s passer rating: 118.7
- Rodgers’ passer rating: 78.3
- Third-down conversion: Flacco 60% vs Rodgers 35%
“Why Mike Tomlin’s QB Decision Shocked Analyst”
Despite Flacco’s strong showing, Tomlin announced Rodgers would remain starter, citing “long-term vision.” This contradicts his usual merit-based approach:
| Year | Tomlin QB Decision | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Benched Rudolph for Duck Hodges | 3-3 record |
| 2024 | Started Pickett over Trubisky | Playoff appearance |
“Flacco’s Resurgence: Can He Sustain It Against Browns’ Defense?”
Cleveland’s defense ranks 2nd in pass coverage (89.3 grade) but Flacco excels against zone schemes:
- 2025 vs Zone: 72% completion
- Deep ball rating: 92.1 (7th among QBs)
“Steelers vs Browns QB Drama: Who Has The Better Backup?”
Both teams face quarterback controversies:
| Team | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Steelers | Rodgers | Flacco |
| Browns | Watson | DTR |
“Will Aaron Rodgers Retire If Steelers Bench Him?”
Rodgers’ $35M dead cap hit complicates any benching scenario:
- Career benchings: 0
- 2025 salary guarantees: $25M
“Browns Tickets Surge After Flacco Announcement”
Cleveland’s Week 6 tickets jumped 47% after Flacco trade rumors:
- Average price: $289 (from $196)
- Resale listings: Up 62%
“Tomlin’s Secret QB Evaluation Method Revealed”
The Steelers coach reportedly weighs practice performance differently:
- 35% film study
- 25% game situations
- 40% locker room impact
Tomlin benching Rodgers for Flacco is peak Steelers chaos 🤯 Either a galaxy-brained move or a total disaster waiting to happen. Browns must be loving this drama.
Galaxy-brained? More like desperation. Rodgers hasn’t looked like himself since Week 1. At least Flacco knows Stefanski’s system.
Nah, this is Tomlin’s usual QB carousel nonsense. Remember Pickett? Now Howard’s rotting on the bench too.
Flacco outplayed Rodgers in OTAs per Browns beat writers. Now he might outplay him in an actual game? The irony hurts.
Who cares about Flacco vs. Rodgers? The real story is Pittsburgh’s defense carrying this team AGAIN. Five turnovers last week!
Defense can’t score touchdowns forever. Eventually this offense needs to wake up or the AFC North will eat them alive.
Lol at Browns fans buying Flacco tickets like he’s the savior. Dude was ‘consensus worst’ at OTAs six months ago.
Hot take: Will Howard starts by Week 10. Rodgers gets hurt, Flacco falters, and suddenly the sixth-rounder’s their best option.