Steelers Legend Proposes Solution To Mike Tomlin’s Joe Flacco Problem

Mike Tomlin fell to a familiar foe when Joe Flacco led the Cincinnati Bengals to a 33-31 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. Bill Cowher advised his coaching successor on how to avoid the veteran quarterback next year.

While breaking down the game Sunday morning on CBS’s “The NFL Today,” Cowher noted Flacco’s career-long success compared to Mike Tomlin. The former Steelers head coach suggested that they add the Super Bowl champion to eliminate the chance of opposing him again in 2026.

“The only quarterbacks who have played Mike Tomlin 10 times or more who have winning records are Tom Brady and Joe Flacco,” Cowher said. “So my advice to Mike … just sign him in the offseason.”

Flacco has played for every AFC North team except the Steelers since beginning his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. The 40-year-old clearly has Tomlin’s respect, as the head coach ripped Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry for trading Flacco to a division rival.

Before the trade, Tomlin said earlier this season that he urged Steelers defenders to make sure Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson stayed in the game when they played last season. He wanted to avoid Flacco, who came off the bench to lead a Colts victory with two passing touchdowns.

Cowher thinks Flacco has the blueprint to beat Tomlin’s defense.

“He’s gone against him 23 times, and he knows the formula,” Cowher said. “What’s the formula? Quick throws. What’s the formula? Run attempts.”

Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year deal and turns 42 in December, so the Steelers may need a new starting quarterback this offseason. Perhaps Tomlin will consider Cowher’s suggestion and pursue Flacco as another temporary stopgap.

However, the Steelers must deal with Flacco again when they play the Bengals in Week 11.

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