Bengals’ Taylor Has Blunt Response for Mike Tomlin

On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers pounded the Cleveland Browns into the ground pretty good to the tune of 23-9. And it really wasn’t that close. Now, the Steelers are on to play the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night and will face the guy the Browns just traded to them.

Quarterback Joe Flacco was dealt to the Bengals about four days before yesterday’s rough loss to the Green Bay Packers. Flacco wasn’t good enough to help them win, but if you’ve followed the Bengals at all through the Jake Browning Era then you’ve noticed that Flacco was an improvement.

On Monday, Steelers head coach was asked about his thoughts when he first heard about the deal.

“To be honest, it was shocking to me,” Tomlin said Monday. “Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us because it doesn’t make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening-day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area, but that’s just my personal feelings.”

Today, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was asked about Tomlin’s comments.

“I was happy,” Taylor told reporters Monday. “That’s my only comment.”

Tomlin says Joe Flacco trade made sense for the Bengals

Tomlin wasn’t the only person that was surprised by the Flacco trade. It wasn’t so much that he was your opening-day starter this year because they had six quarterbacks on the training camp roster at one point. Two of those quarterbacks were rookies and the only real conundrum in Cleveland was who is first sacrificial lamb out there and which rookie goes in first?

Flacco was obviously going to be the first guy thrown out there. And while Flacco can still play, the Browns did not need a 40-year old seat warmer to go out and continually lose games.

The Bengals kinda do.

“It certainly made sense from Cincinnati’s perspective,” Tomlin said. “… He can throw the football, and he’s always been able to throw the football — arm strength, arm accuracy, anticipatory passer, fluid movement through progressions. That’s always been his game.”

Former Browns’ player rooting for Joe Flacco

Steelers‘ safety Juan Thornhill was with the Browns the past two years. He knows both the Browns and Flacco pretty well.

“I’m being honest, I wasn’t surprised about the Flacco move,” Thornhill said after Sunday’s win. “They took him out of there, they benched him, so I felt like it was next man up. They were kind of done with him. I’ve been over there before. I’ve seen that picture before. Once they bench you, you’re not getting back in there, and I felt like they had an opportunity maybe to get something out of Flacco, so they sent him to Cincinnati.

“I’m excited to play Flacco, man. He’s a great guy.”

A few weeks ago, Tomlin actually mentioned Flacco when discussing Carson Wentz coming in for J.J. McCarthy for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.

“We were in a similar situation a year ago,” Tomlin said on Sept. 23. “We were playing in Indianapolis, and I commented to the guys to keep [Anthony] Richardson upright. Don’t put [Joe] Flacco in the game, and Flacco ended up in the game. I think that’s oftentimes some of the things that you can run into when you run into a veteran guy, at least from a short-term perspective.”

Michael Jordan Names Jordan Love of Green Bay Packers the New Face of Air Jordan in $30 Million Deal

In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through both the basketball and football worlds, basketball legend Michael Jordan has announced a $30 million endorsement deal with Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, officially naming him the new global face of the Air Jordan campaign.

The announcement, made at a star-studded event in Los Angeles, marks one of the most ambitious and unexpected cross-sport collaborations in modern sports history. For Jordan Brand, it represents more than just a marketing partnership—it’s a cultural statement about swagger, legacy, and the pursuit of greatness across every arena. Industry insiders are already calling it the most innovative athlete-brand alliance of the decade, one that bridges the elite heritage of basketball with the high-profile, confident charisma of the NFL’s next generation.

Michael Jordan’s Vision for the Future of Air Jordan

For years, Michael Jordan’s brand has defined generations of athletes with its signature style. But with Jordan Love, Jordan is taking Air Jordan into uncharted territory—the modern, media-savvy quarterback era.

“Jordan represents everything the Jumpman stands for,” Jordan said in the official statement. “Confidence, creativity, clutch performance, and the will to make a statement. This partnership isn’t about basketball or football—it’s about greatness in motion.”

According to Nike executives, Jordan personally handpicked Love, admiring his work ethic, his leadership on and off the field, and his undeniable connection with fans—qualities reminiscent of Jordan’s own competitive fire during his playing days. The scale of this deal and the creative freedom granted to Love signal a bold new chapter for the company.

Jordan Love’s Reaction to the Historic Deal

At the press conference, Jordan Love appeared both proud and collected by the partnership. Wearing a sleek black-and-orange Air Jordan bomber jacket, he spoke with passion about what the collaboration means to him personally.

“Greatness is about responsibility and vision—this is bigger than me,” Love said. “It’s about showing kids that confidence and class can take you to the top. I want them to see that hard work, faith, and purpose can turn any dream into a legacy.”

Love’s words instantly went viral. Fans praised his poise and focus, while analysts noted how the quote perfectly encapsulates his leadership style—one built on confidence and inspiration.

The Air Jordan x Jordan Love Campaign

The upcoming campaign, titled “The Signature Look,” is set to launch globally in early 2026. The first teaser images feature Love in the pocket, his iconic wrist jewelry catching the light as the Air Jordan logo stands as a symbol of precision behind him—a powerful visual metaphor for control, ambition, and transcendence.

The first product drop, the Air Jordan 1 “Packers Edition,” is rumored to fuse classic basketball design with cutting-edge football technology. Featuring sleek green patent leather, metallic gold accents, and Love’s signature “10” on the heel, it’s already generating massive pre-launch buzz among sneaker collectors.

Nike insiders say this collaboration represents a “fusion of two empires”—basketball royalty and next-gen football royalty—designed to inspire the new generation of multi-dimensional athletes.

A Partnership Rooted in Purpose

Beyond sneakers and commercials, both Jordan and Love emphasized the philanthropic dimension of their partnership. A portion of the proceeds from every pair of Air Jordans sold under Love’s campaign will go toward The Dream Forward Initiative, a new youth empowerment fund co-founded by the two athletes.

The initiative will focus on providing scholarships, mentorship programs, and sports facilities in underprivileged communities across the United States—beginning in Green Bay, Chicago, and key areas in Florida.

“Jordan and I both know the importance of a good foundation,” Jordan said. “This is about giving kids a chance—to believe in themselves, to work, to dream, and to fly.”

The Sports World Reacts

The reaction from the sports community was immediate and electric. Across the NFL and NBA, stars congratulated Love on joining the Jumpman legacy.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters, “I’m not surprised at all. Jordan’s a once-in-a-generation talent—but more importantly, he’s a leader with an incredible brand. This is a perfect fit.”

LeBron James tweeted, “Jordan + MJ = history. Two icons, one vision.” Meanwhile, NBA star Jayson Tatum, another Jordan Brand athlete, welcomed Love by posting: “The Jumpman family just got even cooler.”

Marketing analyst Chris Brewster summarized it best:

“Michael Jordan built a brand on the idea that humans could fly. Jordan Love just proved that idea can be commanded with swagger from the pocket.”

A New Era for Air Jordan

With this collaboration, Air Jordan steps into a new era—one that expands the brand’s definition of athletic excellence beyond the hardwood. By choosing Jordan Love, Jordan has made a powerful statement about what the brand stands for in 2025: innovation, individuality, and evolution.

As Love said in closing: “It’s about legacy—and legacy means lifting others as you rise.” The message is clear: greatness never stays in one place—it keeps moving, keeps flying, keeps inspiring.

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