The Cleveland Browns played their third tight game in a row on Sunday, falling for the first time in three weeks under the leadership of quarterback P.J. Walker.
Cleveland leaned heavily on its former third-string quarterback down the stretch against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, October 29, including during the play that ultimately cost the Browns the game. Head coach Kevin Stefanski called a pass on 3rd-and-3 from his own 41-yard-line with just over two minutes remaining and a 20-17 lead. Walker tossed an interception to safety Julian Love — a mistake that eventually led to a Jaxon Smith-Njigba touchdown to seal Seattle’s victory.
Reporters asked running back Kareem Hunt after the game about not getting an opportunity on the afternoon’s fateful play. Hunt’s answer extended beyond just one snap, as he took exception to the team’s choice not to utilize him more frequently — or at all — during the final period.
Kareem Hunt, on not getting a chance to run the ball on the third-and-3 late: “I didn’t get a chance the whole fourth quarter. So it’s cool. I don’t know. I just go and play my role. … I feel like I could’ve helped win.” Hunt’s final touch of the game came w/ 3:36 in the 3Q
“I didn’t get a chance the whole fourth quarter,” Hunt said, per Jake Trotter of ESPN. “So it’s cool. I don’t know. I just go and play my role, [and] I feel like I could’ve helped win.”
Trotter added that Hunt’s final touch of the day came with more than three and a half minutes remaining in quarter No. 3. The running back finished the day with 14 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Browns QB P.J. Walker Says ‘Turnovers Happen’ After Late Interception
GettyQuarterback P.J. Walker of the Cleveland Browns throws his helmet during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks in October 2023.
Stefanski spoke to the play call and the resulting interception during his postgame press conference.
“Obviously with the interception, with the outcome you’re always thinking, ‘What can you do differently?'” Stefanski said. “You know, we can’t … we had options there. Certainly you can run and certainly you can pass it. But the result, you know, that was tough.”
watch live P.J. Walker post-game press conference
Cleveland is now 4-3 on the year, and Walker has created as many questions as he’s answered.
It is clear the Browns aren’t prepared to move forward with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center. The former backup QB got the starting nod in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens, but threw three interceptions and hasn’t taken a snap since.
Walker, on the other hand, appears to have carte blanche to make as many mistakes as necessary while the Browns defense continues to drag its bruised and battered counterpart across the finish line every weekend. Walker has now turned the ball over six times in three games and accounted for just a single touchdown.
“Turnovers happen,” Walker said during his postgame press conference. “I haven’t seen a quarterback play a football game in his career that never really turned the ball over. They happen. I just have to try to eliminate them. The second one hurt, especially. The first one was a miscommunication. It’s tough.”
Deshaun Watson’s Health Still Major Question Mark Moving Forward
GettyQuarterback Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns stands on the sideline during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks in October 2023.
Cleveland defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Walker’s first start but needed a missed field goal late to hang on. Watson started the following week against the Indianapolis Colts, though he threw the ball just five times before exiting the game with head and shoulder injuries.
Walker stepped back in and the Browns won again, though by just one point. Cleveland was aided by what the NFL later admitted were incorrect calls made by the officials during the the Browns’ final scoring drive, per Colts owner Jim Irsay via an ESPN report.
Walker’s ineptitude under center has now cost the Browns a game they probably should have won, while Watson’s shoulder remains a long-term question mark.
“He’ll be back when he’s ready,” Stefanski said of Watson following Sunday’s loss.
Cleveland has just two days remaining until the NFL’s trade deadline on October 31 to make an addition at quarterback. Beyond that point, the only options will be free agents who are not currently rostered anywhere in the league.
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Kareem Hunt Sounds Off on Browns Offense After Late-Game INT