Steelers‘ Rodgers, Bengals‘ Flacco to Face Off in Rare Quarterback Clash of Veterans
CINCINNATI – In a matchup defying the NFL’s youth movement, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco are set to square off Thursday night, marking a rare instance of two quarterbacks in their 40s starting against each other. The game pits the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Rodgers, 40, against the Cincinnati Bengals’ Flacco, 39, both seasoned veterans nearing the end of their careers.
Both quarterbacks entered the league in 2008, though Rodgers didn’t become a full-time starter until the following year. Flacco was selected 18th overall in the 2008 draft by the Baltimore Ravens, starting all 16 games as a rookie and finishing with an 11-5 record before losing to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.
“It’s one thing you guys can’t talk about this week in terms of me being older at least, but it is indeed pretty neat,” Flacco saeid. “I mean, aaron’s been in the league a few years longer than me, but we both started playing in 2008. So,been doing it for a long time.It’s pretty cool.”
Rodgers acknowledged Flacco’s arm talent,stating,”I’ve just always enjoyed watching him throw the ball. I mean, he’s got one of the prettiest, prettiest balls, tight spiral, great deep-ball thrower. He is one of the kind of old-school, 2000s, ’90s-prototypical quarterbacks where so many – even when I was coming in the game – it was the big guys who had the big arms, and now you’re seeing there’s some smaller guys.”
The matchup comes amidst scrutiny of the Bengals’ recent trade for Flacco, a move questioned by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who stated Monday he found the decision curious. Flacco, however, said Tuesday he hadn’t seen Tomlin’s comments, adding, ”I didn’t get to see how upset he was, but I think he’s probably just playing the game a little bit and doing whatever he has to do.”
Historically,Flacco holds a 10-11 record as a starter against Tomlin’s Steelers,with a 59.3 QBR, 25 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who coached with Flacco in Baltimore, praised the quarterback’s resilience. “He’s mentally tough,” Austin said. “He doesn’t let things bother him, and he’s a good football player and he never waives in that belief. And so I have a big appreciation for guys like him, guys that maybe bounce around a little bit, and then all of a sudden you see him and they’re really good players, and sometimes you just need to change a scenery to do what you’re doing and do it better. … Hats off to Joe.” Austin also referenced Flacco’s performance earlier this season when he stepped in for anthony Richardson Sr.and threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts.
