Week 7’s edition of Thursday Night Football saw the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals locked in a nailbiter with just under three minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Current Bengals (and former Cleveland Browns) quarterback Joe Flacco pulled out the win, throwing for three touchdowns at Paycor Stadium en route to Cincinnati’s eventual 33-31 victory.
Flacco has received his fair share of attention in Cleveland since the trade, and Browns General Manager Andrew Berry has been under fire from fans who pointed to the Bengals’ win over the Steelers as the latest example of it being a disastrous move.
Fans Praise Joe Flacco, Shun Andrew Berry After Thursday Night Football Win for Bengals
Last Tuesday, Cleveland sent Flacco, who had started four games for the Browns, and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Bengals for a ’26 fifth-round selection.
According to NFL.com, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was also shocked by the move ahead of this latest edition of TNF. But Tomlin wasn’t the only one, as many fans also didn’t understand the roster transaction.
“Browns really traded Flacco to a direct rival please fire Andrew Berry & sell the team,” one fan said on X.
Browns really traded Flacco to a direct rival please fire Andrew berry & sell the team
— Atleti Fan 𓅱 (@r7ogreelo) October 17, 2025
“You see what Flacco is doing tonight? He was never the problem. Andrew Berry and Kevin are the problems. It’s time to run them out of town,” said another fan.
@MaryKayCabot @Browns you see what Flacco is doing tonight? He was never the problem. Andrew Berry and Kevin are the problems. It’s time to run them out of town.
— Keith Kurtz (@KurtzKeith) October 17, 2025
Perhaps a reason why the fans are so shocked is because of Flacco’s well-above-decent performance against the Steelers.
“I cannot believe the Browns traded Joe Flacco to start Dillon Gabriel,” one NFL fan said. “Andrew Berry has to go. So does Stefansky. Such garbage Jimmy Haslam has going on.”
I cannot believe the Browns traded Joe Flacco to start Dillon Gabriel. Andrew Berry has to go. So does Stefansky. Such garbage Jimmy Haslam has going on.
— PMonty (@MagaPam1776) October 17, 2025
“The way Flacco looks tonight raises some serious questions about the Browns organization,” another said.
The way Flacco looks tonight raises some serious questions about the Browns organization.
#TNF #HereWeGo #Bengals #Steelers #nfl
— Gee Nona (@nona_gee37775) October 17, 2025
Additionally, Flacco finished the night with 295 total offensive yards and did not throw for a single interception.
The midseason acquisition for the Browns of Flacco came after Jake Browning had lost three straight games in relief of quarterback Joe Burrow, who sustained an injury back in Week 2.
“Stefanski & Berry, I hope you’re watching this #TNF game. Flacco was NOT the problem. This is a clear indication of Kevin’s shit playcalling & Andrew’s incompetence. It’s time to show BOTH of them the door. It’s the only chance we have to succeed next year,” said another fan to the Browns.
Stefanski & Berry, I hope you’re watching this #TNF game. Flacco was NOT the problem. This is a clear indication of Kevin’s shit playcalling & Andrew’s incompetence. It’s time to show BOTH of them the door. It’s the only chance we have to succeed next year. #DawgPound @Browns
— Mike Winkler (The Movie Guys) (@TheMikeWinkler) October 17, 2025
The Bengals now improve to a 3-4 overall record, with headlines likely to follow about how Flacco outdueled NFL veteran and Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers.
“Kevin Stefanski embarrasses the Browns. Why don’t you ask him why QBs look better when they leave his high-school offense,” another fan said.
“Watching this game got me convinced Joe Flacco wasn’t the problem at all,” one last fan also said on social media.
Flacco is a 40-year-old signal caller and was originally drafted No. 18 overall back in 2008. He’s currently in the midst of his 17th year in the league.
