Steelers Great Bill Cowher Proposes Wild Fix For Big Joe Flacco Issue

The Pittsburgh Steelers struggled immensely on the defensive side of the football against the Cincinnati Bengals last Thursday night. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco was nothing short of electric throughout all four quarters of the contest as he was credited with an eye-opening 342 yards, along with three touchdowns. Flacco has been a constant nuisance for the Steelers throughout his career and the veteran was able to pick apart Pittsburgh's defense for the second year in a row.

Flacco has a total of 5,370 yards and 30 touchdowns in 23 appearances against the Steelers throughout his career. The previous long-time Baltimore Ravens signal-caller has a career passer rating of 86.7 against Pittsburgh and has continued to cause massive problems for the Steelers' defense over the years. 

Former Steelers Head Coach, Bill Cowher, recently shared his thoughts on the Thursday night matchup following the loss, as Cowher believes Pittsburgh's solution to stopping Flacco once and for all would be to acquire him. Cowher claimed Flacco knows Mike Tomlin's "formula" when facing the Steelers as well.

"It was complicated because he was going against Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers," Cowher stated. "He's gone against them 23 times. And he knows the formula. What's the formula? Quick throws. What's the formula? Run attempts."

Cowher continued to credit Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for Flacco's success on Thursday.

"And when you sit there and have the people that he has to throw it to, maybe the best group of receivers he has had to date in his long career, you think about this: the only quarterbacks to have played Mike Tomlin 10 times or more who have winning records are Tom Brady and Joe Flacco," Cowher continued. "So my advice to Mike, I know I got upset about it, but just sign him in the offseason. That means Joe Flacco would have played for every team in the AFC North."

Cowher's comments are certainly interesting. The former head coach was more than likely just joking around, but Flacco could be an option in 2026 if Aaron Rodgers opts for retirement. Both Rodgers and Flacco are seasoned veterans at the tail end of their careers, but Cowher's suggestion could emerge as a real possibility during the offseason.

Rodgers' status for the 2026 season currently remains unknown. The veteran has played good football throughout his first six games as a Steeler, but the 41 year old quarterback is in the midst of his 21st season and may very well call it quits after this year. Rodgers and the Steelers' offense will look to stay hot against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, and Pittsburgh will be in prime position to send an authoritative message to the rest of the NFL.

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Receives High Praise Of His Own

Flacco isn't the only older veteran quarterback being talked about as of late. Rodgers has been a very solid starting option in 2025 as well. The veteran recently received some very high praise from a rival executive while speaking with Jeff Howe from The Athletic, as the executive claimed Rodgers "could still spin it" despite being in year 21. Rodgers also received credit for being exactly what the Steelers needed as speculation continued to surround the future Hall of Fame quarterback throughout the entire 2025 offseason.

While it was unclear which NFL executive made the comments, Rodgers and the Steelers' offense will take it nonetheless. Rodgers is currently tied for the third most passing touchdowns in football with 14 and has been fantastic in recent weeks given his age and durability. 

The Steelers signing Flacco will more than likely never happen, as Rodgers has been excellent in 2025 and could opt to return in 2026 -- making a move involving Flacco to Pittsburgh all the more unlikely. With how much trouble Flacco has caused the Steelers throughout his career, some argue signing him wouldn't be such a bad idea.

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