The Cleveland Browns released their unofficial depth chart on Tuesday with Joe Flacco still in the No. 1 quarterback spot.
There’s been some discussion about the Browns benching Flacco for their Week 5 matchup, replacing him with rookie Dillon Gabriel. It could still happen but the Browns were not ready to unveil the decision in their depth chart release. It’s tagged “unofficial” for a reason.
The Browns are 1-3 and Flacco’s struggles have been glaring. He’s thrown six interceptions and lost two fumbles, dragging down an offense that’s already among the league’s worst.
The Browns have emphasized protecting the ball to complement their elite defense, but instead sit at the bottom of the NFL in turnover differential at minus-6. Flacco ranks last in the league with a 60.3 passer rating, and Cleveland is averaging fewer than 14 points per game with him under center.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has failed to back Flacco as the starter for this week but has also declined to say if the team is set on making a change.
“I just would tell you, I understand the question and I understand the scrutiny that comes with the position, but we have to play better as an offense,” Stefanski said. “We have to do a better job at all positions, including coaching. That’s really what I want to get across.
“We have to play better as an offense. We have to coach better on offense. It’s not about one person. There are so many things that we need to do better and, obviously, quarterback included. But this is not about one person.”
Browns Have Internal Disagreement About Benching Joe Flacco
The decision to bench Flacco is anything but simple. It would almost certainly mark the end of his NFL career while leaving the Browns to ride out the season with rookie quarterbacks — Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders.
Stefanski has consistently praised Flacco, citing his leadership and 18 years of experience. But according to ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo, there’s been “strife” inside the organization over the quarterback situation. Stefanski is reportedly pushing to stick with the veteran, while general manager Andrew Berry and owner Jimmy Haslam are leaning toward turning the page and giving Gabriel a chance.
“My insiders say that there’s strife in the building,” Rizzo said. “It’s Kevin vs. Andrew and Jimmy. Kevin wants to keep Flacco. Andrew and Jimmy want ‘The Processor.’ The Browns have too many decision-makers in football ops. The teams that do really well, the coach has his side, and the front office has its side. On this team, everybody has everything going on.”
Browns QB Joe Flacco Not Worrying About Starting Status
Flacco has taken accountability for his poor play and the offense’s struggles. He’s heard the noise about potentially being benched in favor of Gabriel but is trying not to worry about it.
“I know what I signed up for,” Flacco said after losing to the Lions. “I signed up for coming in and competing for a job and then leading this team to victories. And you know that everybody’s always being evaluated in this league, and that’s no different for any position. So it’s disappointing to go out there and play the way we did today. Other than that, I’m not really worried about all that stuff.”
Flacco’s time is running out to prove himself in Cleveland. If he gets another shot, his next opportunity will come in London on Sunday when the Browns take on the Minnesota Vikings.
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