The race for the AFC North is usually one of the most grueling battles in all of football. Every season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are pushed to the limit by their division rivals — the kind of competition that keeps them sharp and focused from start to finish. This year is no different, though the road has taken an unexpected turn.
Injuries have reshaped the landscape, with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined by turf toe. That injury alone had fans across the division thinking that Pittsburgh might have a clearer path to the AFC North crown. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that no rival in this division goes down quietly.
On Tuesday, the Bengals made sure to remind everyone of that when they traded a fifth-round pick for a sixth-rounder and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco.
Yes, that Joe Flacco — the Super Bowl XLVII MVP and longtime Baltimore Raven who tormented the Steelers for more than a decade. The University of Delaware product spent 11 seasons in Baltimore, where he helped define one of football’s most heated rivalries. Now, he returns to the AFC North wearing Bengals stripes instead of Ravens purple.
And even though he’s well past his prime, his presence brings a layer of intrigue to a division already filled with storylines.
The Pittsburgh Steelers cannot be phased by the Bengal's desperate Joe Flacco trade
The Bengals’ decision to add Flacco is a desperate but understandable move. They needed experience under center, and with Burrow’s injury lingering, they couldn’t afford to trust a young backup in a tight divisional race. Flacco’s résumé speaks for itself — over 42,000 career passing yards, a championship ring, and a reputation for poise in big moments.
But the reality is, this is not 2012 Joe Flacco.
This season, he’s totaled just 815 passing yards (26th in the league) with two touchdowns and six interceptions. Those numbers don’t exactly scream “savior.” His arm strength remains respectable, but his mobility and accuracy have clearly declined. Cincinnati might have added a veteran voice, but that doesn’t mean they’ve added a true difference-maker.
From a Pittsburgh perspective, the mission stays the same.
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Head coach Mike Tomlin has always preached the importance of keeping “the main thing the main thing.” The Steelers can’t afford to get distracted by Cincinnati’s roster shuffling or the media chatter surrounding the trade. They have their own business to handle, starting with a critical matchup against the Cleveland Browns this weekend.
Pittsburgh currently sits in a strong position to control its own destiny in the AFC North. But in this division, nothing comes easy — and nothing can be taken for granted. Whether it’s Flacco stepping in for Burrow or the Browns’ stingy defense waiting in Week 6, every opponent brings a unique challenge.
Still, I don’t believe Flacco will be enough to stop Pittsburgh from claiming another divisional crown. The Steelers’ formula for success — physical defense, a balanced offense, and disciplined execution — remains as reliable as ever. As long as they continue to lean into their identity and stay focused, the AFC North will once again run through Pittsburgh.
For now, let the Bengals have their short-term solution. The Steelers have their eyes on a much bigger prize.