The Cleveland Browns are ready to go in a new direction at quarterback after a 1-3 start with Joe Flacco under center.
The Browns are expected to bench Flacco in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel or their Week 5 matchup in London against the Minnesota Vikings, per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
The Cleveland Browns are expected to bench veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and start rookie Dillon Gabriel moving forward, beginning with Sunday’s overseas game against Minnesota,” CBS reported. Gabriel’s first start will be in Week 5 when the Browns face the Vikings in London. He will be the first quarterback to make his first NFL start outside the United States.
The Browns have yet to confirm the move. The team published its unofficial depth chart on Tuesday, which still had Flacco in the No. 1 spot. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has sidestepped questions on the quarterback situation following a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions. Flacco accounted for three turnovers in that matchup.
“I understand the question,” Stefanski said on Monday. “We have to play better as an offense. We have to coach better on offense. It’s not about one person. There are so many things that we need to do better and obviously quarterback included. But this is not about one person.”
Browns Benching Joe Flacco Good News for Shedeur Sanders
If the Browns do move on from Flacco, it’s good news for Shedeur Sanders. The high-profile fifth-round rookie has been serving as the emergency quarterback on game days. He’s officially inactive and only able to enter if both Gabriel and Flacco are injured.
Sanders could potentially get the bump up to the No. 2 spot if the Browns sit Flacco.
“Still, at this point, there’d be little reason to go back to Flacco if Gabriel’s play is untenable or if he gets hurt. The Browns know the level of play Flacco provides. They likely knew that before the season started,” Zenitz said. “Now that they’ve deemed Gabriel ready to start, Sanders could be next in line as the franchise’s seemingly endless search for a long-term answer at quarterback continues.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Prepared for Opportunity
Sanders said last week that he feels ready to start and will be prepared if his number is called.
“I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I’m capable of doing better than that,” Sanders said. “(There’s) obvious a lot of teams would be playing me, but that’s not in God’s plan right now. And some things happen for a reason and I’m a true believer in that. And whatever his plan for me is I believe in it. So I don’t be stressed or feel bad that I’m in the situation I’m in right now. It’s just funny to me and I just enjoy it.”
That being said, the Browns will likely give Gabriel a long leash as he settles into his first NFL action. Cleveland surprised many by selecting him in the third round. But the team has praised his processing ability and lengthy college resume that includes stops at Oregon, Oklahoma and UCF.
Decorated college career, very accurate, very poised, throws with anticipation, good mobility,” Browns GM Andrew Berry said after selecting Gabriel. “We just thought he had a really well-rounded game.”