Why the Browns might not be able to afford a QB change right now
The frustration is palpable. It's understandable. It's absolutely warranted. As the dust settles on Week 4, the Browns have the NFL's 31st-ranked offense. This week's game against the Detroit Lions followed a familiar pattern.
The Browns' defense stood tall against a potent offense, while their own offense sputtered, turned the ball over, and created impossible situations. A normally solid special teams unit also faltered, allowing a punt return touchdown. The Cleveland Browns have the league's
It's obvious, the Browns have a big-time offensive problem. Any time a team displays such ineptitude with the ball in their hands, naturally, the finger is pointed straight at the quarterback position. Joe Flacco has been inconsistent, reckless, and frankly, not good enough this season.
PFF has Flacco graded as the 31st-ranked quarterback in the NFL this season. He leads the league in interceptions with six, and his two touchdown passes are tied for 33rd. Yet, it is still not the time to pivot to one of the Browns rookie signal-callers.
Browns Week 5 matchup vs Vikings not a good time to switch to rookie QB
Here's the thing: the moment the Browns signed Joe Flacco, it was very evident that he was intended to be the pincushion for a treacherous early-season block. The Browns have faced three 2024 playoff teams in their first four games, and they'll face two more over the next two weeks. The 40-year-old folk hero has nothing to lose in the twilight of his career.
It's important to keep in mind that the Browns didn't draft a quarterback in the first round. This is not a Baker Mayfield situation. Dillon Gabriel was a third-round pick. Shedeur Sanders was a fifth-round pick. The NFL spoke loudly when these guys fell this far; it is because if they are to have any NFL success at all, they need time to develop and acclimate.
In Week 5, the Browns travel across the pond to play against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings - who have had a roller coaster start to the season themselves - feature one of the NFL's most aggressive defenses. Brian Flores coordinates a blitz-happy, exotic game plan that causes headaches for NFL veterans and absolute meltdowns for rookie quarterbacks.
In his career as the defensive playcaller/head coach, Flores has an 11-1 record against rookie signal-callers. Overall, rookie passers have accumulated an 80.8 passer rating against his defensive units in New England, Miami, and Minnesota. Those quarterbacks have combined to throw seven interceptions and be sacked a whopping 39 times.
While the exasperation is evident and deserved, thrusting an inexperienced rookie into a terrible situation will do nothing for the team's fortunes, nor the rookie's development. The first crack will likely go to Dillon Gabriel, who has dressed as the team's number two quarterback each week. The most ideal landing spot for him to take the reins is only two short weeks away. The Browns will face off against the Miami Dolphins and their 30th-ranked defense in front of the Dawg Pound in Week 7.
It's hard to watch the Browns offense right now. It is increasingly difficult when the QB has no real chance of improvement, as a veteran who's seen the glory days pass him by. Whether the Browns begin to win some games is debatable, but a welcome infusion of excitement is coming - in due time. Stay patient, Browns fans.
Browns Latest Signing Tabbed ‘Bad News’ for Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns decided to move Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in the week, a trade that needed to happen. Having four quarterbacks on the Browns’ active roster never made much sense, despite Kevin Stefanski and others saying it was a possibility.
While the Browns moved on from Pickett, they went out and signed Bailey Zappe to a deal on Wednesday. Zappe will be on the practice squad, which shouldn’t impact Shedeur Sanders much, but James Brizuela doesn’t believe that will be the case. Brizuela wrote an article on Wednesday, stating that the latest signing is “bad news” for Sanders.
“Considering the Browns stated they would take four quarterbacks into the regular season, that appears to ring true. To be fair, Zappe is only the practice squad quarterback for now, but he could find himself as the third-stringer in the coming weeks.
“Sanders might be viewed as a developmental quarterback who could serve as the practice squad option, while Zappe jumps into the third slot on the depth chart. This is just speculation, but the veteran has more experience that would favor this decision,” he wrote.
Will Browns QB Shedeur Sanders See the Field?
It isn’t unfair to suggest that any signing to add to the Cleveland Browns quarterback room is bad news for Sanders. Since he’s the third-string quarterback, Sanders has a long way to go before making an impact at the highest level. However, with how old Joe Flacco is and questions about Kenny Pickett in the NFL, Sanders may get a chance.
At least from the outside looking in on the situation, Sanders could eventually get an opportunity. Despite that, Louis Riddick of ESPN doesn’t believe that.
“Not without injury and/or some kind of severe underperformance on the part of Joe Flacco and then Dillon Gabriel,” Riddick said, per NJ.com. “I just don’t see it. I mean, it’s unfortunate for everyone who was a Shedeur Sanders fan and feels as though he was someone who was drafted below what ultimately his skill level represented in college. But that’s just the way it goes…
“The preseason has played itself out now. Joe Flacco is No. 1. Dillon Gabriel, when he got his opportunities, really did show that he is deserving of being a backup quarterback that potentially could ascend to become a starter.”
Shedeur Sanders Faces a Major Hurdle
Sanders impressed in the Cleveland Browns’ first preseason game of the year, before dealing with an injury and missing the second. He played in the third game but took five sacks and displayed many of the same flaws he showed in college.
Nonetheless, Sanders has much to work on, which is true for most rookies. He may get a chance if he does what he needs to do.
Akili Smith seems to think so, stating that while it’ll be tough, he must work hard.
“It’s going to be hard. Very hard,” Smith told Andscape. “Just where he’s at now, and the things he needs to work on … it’s a lot. If he stays positive and works hard, he still has a chance. But the tape is clear as day.”
