The Cleveland Browns are poised to implement a different approach at the quarterback position.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel is scheduled to commence the upcoming game this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings, as announced by the Browns on Wednesday. He will be substituting veteran Joe Flacco, marking the inaugural start of his NFL tenure.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski reportedly conveyed the alteration to the team on Wednesday morning, according to reports. Flacco will purportedly serve as Gabriel’s backup during Week 5, as indicated by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Shedeur Sanders, a former standout from Colorado, will maintain his position as the team’s third option.
Stefanski addressed the decision on Wednesday, affirming his continued belief in Flacco’s significance to the team.
Stefanski further stated that he was responsible for the choice, deeming it “optimal for the football team.”
Flacco joined the Browns during the recent offseason, securing the starting role following a highly publicized competition throughout training camp. However, he has guided the team to only a 1-3 record, and the Browns offense has encountered considerable difficulties under his leadership. Flacco completed only 16 of 34 passes for 184 yards with two interceptions in last week’s 34-10 defeat against the Detroit Lions. He has accumulated a mere two touchdowns and six interceptions across four games this season, accompanied by a QBR of 27.0, surpassing only that of Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward.
Despite Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski’s repeated insistence that he was not contemplating a change following the team’s loss to the Lions, he evidently opted to reconsider his stance just days later.
Gabriel, selected by the Browns in the third round of the April draft from Oregon, has made two appearances during lopsided contests and displayed promise. He completed 3 of 3 passes for 19 yards and threw a touchdown pass at the conclusion of the team’s 41-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. He also entered the game late during their defeat against the Lions.
Gabriel amassed a career-high 3,857 yards and 30 touchdowns with only six interceptions last season at Oregon, where he secured third place in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Flacco, now in his 18th season in the league, will assume the backup role this weekend. Despite asserting his readiness to start in the NFL currently, Sanders will remain third on the depth chart.
While the Browns acquired Flacco during the recent offseason, the 40-year-old was never intended to be their long-term solution at quarterback. With his career nearing its end, and quarterback Deshaun Watson recovering from a second consecutive Achilles injury, it was highly probable that Gabriel would eventually receive the opportunity.
However, whether he possesses the ability to salvage this season for Cleveland remains uncertain.
The Browns, whose sole victory this season was partially attributable to a blocked field goal as time expired, will face the Vikings on Sunday morning at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. This will mark Minnesota’s second consecutive game in Europe. The Vikings suffered a defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend in Dublin, resulting in a record of 2-2 for the year.
