If Joe Flacco wants to remain the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, he’ll have to take care of the ball.
Flacco has accounted for four turnovers through two games — three interceptions and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
The Browns’ defense has been dominant, leading the league by allowing just 191.5 yards per game. However, they’ve still surrendered 29 points per contest, largely because turnovers and offensive struggles have consistently put them in difficult situations.
Cleveland had a punt blocked, an interception nearly taken back for a touchdown, and a fumble returned for a score in Sunday’s 41-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. While Browns coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t put all the blame on Flacco for the offensive struggles, but the onus falls on the 40-year-old to cut down the turnovers if he wants to keep his job.
“We didn’t play well enough on offense, and we didn’t coach well enough on offense, and it’s never going to be about one person,” Stefanski said. “Joe knows there’s plays that he can be better, and it obviously starts with protecting the ball in this game, and he understands that, and that’s our focus moving forward.”
Browns Not Benching Joe Flacco for Dillon Gabriel
The Browns will continue to roll with Flacco against the Green Bay Packers. Rookie backup Dillon Gabriel saw some time late against the Ravens, completing all three of his passes for 20 yards and a touchdown throw to Dylan Sampson.
But the Browns are not focused on getting Gabriel reps — at least yet.
“That’s really not our focus,” Stefanski said. “Yesterday, you understand how the game was and where we were in the game, but that’s really not our focus.”
The schedule doesn’t get easier for the Browns any time soon. They’ll face a 2-0 Packers team this week that is giving up just 15.5 points per game and is led by Micah Parsons.
“Not scoring enough points in the first two games, and that’s a combination of things. It’s run game, it’s pass game, it’s what we’re asking the guys to do,” said Stefanski, who is the offensive playcaller. “So, we’ll make sure that we put a plan together to let these guys have success versus Green Bay.”
Browns QB Joe Flacco Not Concerned About Job Security
Flacco, now in his 18th NFL season, isn’t letting the outside noise rattle him. He’s leaning on experience and focusing on what he can control.
“I can’t worry about that stuff anyway,” Flacco said after Sunday’s blowout loss against his former team. “It’s honestly not on my mind. You know, I gotta go out there and just play, play my game, play the way I know how to, lead this team the best I can. All that other stuff, it’s out of my control.
“It is what it is. I mean, the only thing I can control is how I play and how this team shows up every day. So it really isn’t in the thought process.”
If the Browns continue to pile up losses, the push to get their rookies on the field will only accelerate. With two first-round picks next year, the team needs to determine whether Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders can be the quarterback of the future.
Browns Put QB Joe Flacco on Notice With Clear Directive to Keep Job