Calls are growing louder for the Cleveland Browns to replace Joe Flacco with rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Flacco has failed to provide a spark for the offense, which has been among the worst in the NFL through three weeks. The Browns haven’t been able to move the ball with any consistency, lack explosive plays and have wasted strong performances from their defense.
Additionally, Flacco has not taken care of the ball. He’s thrown four interceptions and had a fumble returned for a touchdown against the Ravens during a 41-17 Week 2 loss.
The 40-year-old is running out of leash, and Browns fans are growing impatient.
Everybody involved in the decision to go into this season with Joe Flacco as the QB1 needs to be fired,” one fan said.
Joe Flacco is a bum, takes him 5 seconds to make a read, we have the best defense in the league for nothing. Put Gabriel or Sanders in so we can at least see them in action,” another added.
The Browns had less than 100 yards of offense in the first half against the Packers and Flacco ended the half with an interception on a rough-looking Hail Mary attempt.
It’s malpractice to keep playing Joe Flacco,” a fan said. “He’s not only missing open guys, but he moves slow as dirt. Every element of the offense is slow moving, slow developing, and predictable with him under the center.”
Brown Discussed Starting Dillon Gabriel vs. Packers
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees weighed the idea of starting Gabriel against the Packers, per Brad Stainbrook.
Joe Flacco will make his third straight start (Sunday), but the Browns are closer to making a quarterback change than some might think, per a league source,” Stainbrook reported. Earlier this week, Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees spent much of Monday in meetings weighing whether to hand the job to rookie Dillon Gabriel. … The staff ultimately decided to stick with Flacco for another week, but the leash is short.”
Part of the issue with Flacco has been his lack of mobility. He’s unable to make plays outside of the pocket and teams are taking advantage.
“One of the driving factors is mobility. Flacco has the respect of the building and brings steadiness, but his inability to move the way this coaching staff prefers has become harder to work around,” Stainbrook said.
Gabriel played a series during the blowout against the Ravens. It wasn’t a high-pressure situation but the rookie completed all three of his passes for 20 yards and a touchdown.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Waiting for Opportunity
Gabriel will get the first shot once the Browns decide to bench Flacco. But Shedeur Sanders is also lurking as an option. He’s been the third-stringer for the Browns, serving as the emergency quarterback. Sanders is only able to enter the game if both Flacco and Gabriel are injured.
Despite his current role, Sanders has been working hard to make sure he’s ready if his number is called.
“This is something my dad (Deion Sanders) used to say: ‘if you’re up there doing something every day, you better be getting better at it,” Sanders told cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “So that’s how everything’s going. Everything we do in this building, it’s a learning thing. It’s learning every day. I’m in a great position to be sitting back, understanding the game plan, understanding everything that the NFL is.
“I’m ready for my opportunity whenever that happens. But in this time that I’m not out there physically playing, I would say I’m growing everywhere.”
Calls Mount for Browns to Bench Joe Flacco During Miserable Outing