Steelers' Rival Joe Flacco Makes Strange Admission About Potentially Playing For Pittsburgh In 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of questions that still need to be answered following the shocking news that Mike Tomlin was stepping away from coaching. As the Steelers search for their fourth head coach since 1969, they also face major uncertainty at quarterback, arguably the most important position in all of sports. However, for the 2026 season, that position may not matter as much as usual. Many pundits believe this will be a rebuild year for Pittsburgh, or at the very least a season where the team is more likely to struggle than contend. With expectations lowered and long-term planning taking priority, the franchise appears to be at a true crossroads.

It is not expected that Aaron Rodgers will return at quarterback, which opens the door for the Steelers to evaluate younger options. Many fans want to see what second-year quarterback Will Howard can do with a larger role. Another possibility, though far less exciting to most, is 41-year-old veteran Joe Flacco. While Flacco still has experience and could provide stability, his age and limited upside make him a questionable fit for a team that should be focused on the future rather than the past.

The idea becomes even more strange when considering Flacco’s history. He has been a long-time rival of the Steelers, having played for the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals, along with stops with the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, and Denver Broncos. A move to Pittsburgh would complete an unusual AFC North tour and likely would not sit well with much of the fan base. Still, while speaking with The Baltimore Sun, Flacco revealed his honest thoughts on the idea of playing for the Steelers, and his comments shed light on how he truly views the situation.

"I play football because I love it," Flacco said while speaking on if he would ever play for the Steelers. "It is a job of mine and if somebody is hiring me, then I think that is a pretty big deal. At the same time, I love playing football and if people are going to give me an opportunity to do that, then yeah. I can't let my personal feelings on an organization from an outsider get in the way of a professional decision."

Tomlin was not happy during the 2025 season when the Browns made the decision to trade Flacco within the division, sending him to the Bengals. He understood what Flacco was capable of and felt the move was a careless one by Cleveland. 

Flacco, for his part, admitted that wearing the black and gold would feel much stranger than playing for either the Browns or the Bengals.

"I think it would be strange," Flacco said. "I do think that having a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey on would be a little bit more strange than having a Browns or a Bengals jersey for whatever reason. I think at this point, I am open to pretty much most things if I can see an opportunity in it."

Many fans simply want to see the Steelers move on from the veteran bridge approach and find out what they truly have in Howard, then draft a young quarterback and evaluate his potential as well. 

Steelers' Omar Khan Doesn't Seem Likely To Bring In Joe Flacco

If anything, the team could consider Flacco as a mentor, similar to how Rodgers has been used, though certainly far less talented at this stage of his career. It would be a wild move, but it is not entirely out of the realm of possibility. 

Still, it is difficult to imagine General Manager Omar Khan embracing this idea, especially as the organization appears to be moving in a new direction post-Tomlin.

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