The Cleveland Browns have dropped to 1-3 on the season, following their 34-10 drubbing at the hands of the surging Detroit Lions.
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco looked awful in the process, completing 16 of 34 passes for 184 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. The 40-year-old veteran lost a fumble as well.
After four weeks of mediocre quarterback play, it would seem fans and analysts are getting tired of watching the Browns roll out Flacco every week, and it may be time for one of Cleveland's youngsters to get a chance to show what they've got.
Browns Urged to Sit Joe Flacco, Start Dillon Gabriel
Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated wrote a piece comparing and contrasting rookie quarterback situations around the league right now, and highlighted Jaxson Dart's first start for the New York Giants as to why the Browns should turn to their former Oregon Duck, Dillon Gabriel.
"But there are some similarities, with the Browns having a physical rookie running back in Quinshon Judkins and a stout defense. Skattebo’s presence and the Giants’ ferocious defensive front were instrumental in Dart coming out victorious for his debut against the Chargers," wrote Manzano.
It must have been agonizing for the Browns fans to sit and watch Flacco play uninspiring football in Detroit while the Giants got a spark from their rookie out of Ole Miss. Who's to say Cleveland can't get the same jolt from Gabriel if they were to insert him as the starter, and better yet, what do they have to lose?
"If Gabriel is the real deal as a rookie, the Browns can use their 2026 draft picks, including two first-rounders from the Travis Hunter trade with the Jaguars, to continue building a strong roster," continued Manzano.
"If Gabriel struggles for a month, they can also get a good look at Sanders, who divided the sports world with his shocking draft slide to the fifth round. If neither projects to be franchise QB material, well, no harm, no foul, because the Browns are right back where they were in the offseason and the offseason before that and the offseason before that. "
At this point, the Browns aren't going anywhere despite their incredible defense. They should cut the cord on Flacco and see if Gabriel can give them a little boost under center.
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