The Cleveland Browns aren’t moving on from Joe Flacco just yet, but one of the most prominent franchise insiders predicted that a transition to Dillon Gabriel is imminent.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com joined the “Orange and Brown Talk Podcast” on Monday, September 15, and explained why Flacco is going to keep his job for likely a few weeks to come before all but guaranteeing that the Browns are headed for a switch under center sooner than later.
Flacco completed 25-of-45 passes for 199 yards, one TD and one INT on the road against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. He also lost a fumble and took two sacks. His sole touchdown on the day came to wide receiver Cedric Tillman, though a Ravens defender got a hand on the ball, which then ricocheted into Tillman’s arms. Cleveland lost the contest by a score of 41-17.
“I think the reason why we’re asking the question is because in a game like this, Joe turned the ball over twice. He had a horrible interception this game. But I do think the more that I think about this right now, they’re heading into a very grueling stretch,” Cabot said. “I just don’t think now is the time to do it. So I agree with the decision to stick with Joe Flacco for now, but it’s going to get to the point at some time this season where they’re going to say, ‘Alright, let’s see what these rookies can do.’
Browns Likely to Start Joe Flacco Through Week 5, Consider Dillon Gabriel as QB1 Beginning Week 6
GettyQuarterback Joe Flacco of the Cleveland Browns.
As good as the Ravens are, the Green Bay Packers might be even better.
Green Bay is headed to Cleveland next weekend on 10 days rest after a 2-0 start that has included double-digit victories over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders — two of the NFC’s final four playoff teams in January.
The Packers are good on both sides of the football, but the speed in the edge-rushing group on defense is particularly dangerous and could prove problematic for a rookie like Gabriel. As such, it certainly makes sense for the Browns to keep Flacco under center in Week 3.
Cleveland will then travel to Detroit in Week 4, which is another contest it might be smart to let Gabriel avoid. He played late against the Ravens, connecting on 3-of-3 passes for 19 yards and a TD to rookie running back Dylan Sampson, and that kind of action would be reasonable against the back-to-back NFC North juggernaut opponents.
The Browns are at home in Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings. who boast a talented defense with the capacity to confuse even seasoned veterans, but an offense that has scored just 12 points in seven of eight quarters played this season.
Given Minnesota’s defensive prowess, the following game against the Pittsburgh Steelers looks like a softer landing spot for Gabriel’s first start of the year, despite being located in Pittsburgh. The Steelers‘ defense is allowing 31.5 points per game through two weeks and has tallied just three sacks thus far.
The Browns square off at home against a winless Miami Dolphins team in Week 7, which also profiles as a game in which Gabriel might see action as QB1.
Joe Flacco Spoke on Late Benching Against Ravens
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco.
Flacco spoke with media members following Sunday’s loss in Baltimore, who asked him directly about the team’s decision to bench him late for Gabriel.
“I can’t worry about that stuff anyway. It’s honestly not on my mind,” Flacco said. “I gotta go out there and just play my game, play the way I know how to [and] lead this team the best I can. All that other stuff is out of my control. It is what it is.”
Flacco won the QB1 job after a protracted four-way battle with Gabriel, fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders and fourth-year veteran Kenny Pickett, whom the Browns have since traded to the Las Vegas Raiders. Flacco entered this season, his 18th in the league, at 40 years old.
Beginning of the End Predicted for Joe Flacco, as Dillon Gabriel Lies in Wait