Joe Flacco is on a revenge tour. Having been deemed surplus to requirements at the Browns and subsequently getting traded to the Bengals, Flacco had to prove that he was still cut out for this level. And, boy, did he do that against the Steelers. Joe Flacco came out on top in the battle of 40-year-old QBs, as the Bengals stunned the Steelers 33-31 on Thursday night. Flacco completed over 60 percent of his passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns. And this performance has not gone down well in Cleveland, with fans furious with the Browns’ front office’s decision to part ways with the veteran.

Longtime ESPN Cleveland radio host Tony Rizzo couldn’t hold back on Friday morning. He lashed out on the front, threatening to fire the General Manager of the franchise and even calling the franchise a joke. “Why on earth did you feel the need to trade this guy to a division opponent for a fifth-round draft pick? Fireable offense! That is a fireable offense!” Rizzo said.

“You have the worst offense in the league. Your GM scr—d this quarterback thing up like I’ve never seen! In my life, I’ve never seen anything like it!” Rizzo further added

While many fans are boiling in anger, other theorists are suggesting that it may be more than just a deal. Former NFL executive Doug Whaley shared his own take on the trade during an appearance on the 93.7 The Fan podcast. Whaley believes the Browns’ decision to send Flacco to Cincinnati, a divisional rival, may be partly intentional.

It might have been designed to make life tougher for the divisional leaders, the Steelers.

Who will benefit from Joe Flacco’s mid-season trade?

The Browns’ decision to trade 40-year-old Joe Flacco has quickly turned into one biggest talking points. Who gets to benefit from the trade? Cincinnati gained a veteran presence under centre to replace Jake Browning, who had been struggling with 6 touchdowns and 8 interceptions since taking over Joe Burrow following his week 2 turf toe injury.

In a rare move, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin publicly questioned the Browns and general manager Andrew Berry for sending Flacco to a divisional rival in the middle of the season. But to be fair, Cincinnati’s loaded wide receiver room makes it easier for any quarterback.

With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, one of the league’s most dynamic duos since Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, even an average passer can look good. That said, trading a player to a rival remains a bold gamble, and it looks even worse now that Flacco’s thriving in Cincinnati. Simply put, if the Browns don’t show real progress in the coming weeks, Tony Rizzo might just get his wish.