The Cleveland Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett did not hold back when questioned about Joe Flacco’s good performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Flacco had a 33-31 victory with 342 yards and three touchdowns, Garrett said he believed the old system would not fit the veteran quarterback.
“Joe looked like Joe. It makes me see that whatever offense they’re (the Browns) committed to running to produce wins doesn’t see Joe as the most productive. Maybe his style doesn’t fit how we want to run it.”
#Browns Myles Garrett on Joe Flacco's performance vs. the #Steelers: "Joe looked like Joe. It makes me see that whatever offense they're (the Browns) committed to running to produce wins doesn't see Joe as the most productive. Maybe his style doesn't fit how we want to run it." pic.twitter.com/HjxLClNa0P
— Ashly Holder (@AshNoelleTV) October 17, 2025
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The Browns traded Joe Flacco to the Bengals just a week ago in exchange for a sixth-round pick. At the time, the decision looked practical. Flacco, a Super Bowl champion, had been inconsistent, “borderline abysmal” through the first few weeks, and the Browns wanted to commit to their youth movement.
But with Flacco performing well against the Pittsburgh team, which defeated the Browns 23-9 the day before, Garrett made another record on top of an already festering frustration within the Cleveland locker room. With the highest number of sacks (four) in six games, Garrett dismissed inquiries into Flacco’s revival, claiming, “That is not nothing to do with me.”
The Browns currently sit 1-5, dead last in the AFC North, while the Bengals’ win moved them to 3-4. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who replaced Flacco, has thrown for 430 yards and three touchdowns over two starts but has completed just 57.3% of his passes. Garrett admitted the constant losing has taken a toll, saying last week, “To lose the same way every time, it’s frustrating as hell.”
Garrett’s remarks sparked a heated debate among Browns fans online. One fan sarcastically wrote, “When you have the opportunity, you should always force your losing style on a Super Bowl winner.” Another added, “After so many quarterbacks, maybe it’s not the quarterback that is the problem.”
Others criticized the media for even asking a defensive player about an ex-quarterback, arguing, “Why are you asking a defensive player about an offensive guy who’s no longer on the team? Everyone needs to focus on themselves.”
Another fan defended Flacco’s brief tenure, saying, “Apparently they gotta be Baker Mayfield or better to even sniff the playoffs Joe Flacco was cold and at least got you guys in but lost.”One user summed it up bluntly: “The Browns offense is trash.”
As the internal frustrations continue to build and the general patience among the people is becoming thin, the blunt remarks of Garrett are indicative of the looming confusion that is showing about a Cleveland team that is still finding its feet, and an offensive identity that is not really fitting at all.
