Dillon Gabriel Joe Flacco Shedeur Sanders Browns Quarterback
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The Cleveland Browns decided to bench Joe Flacco for Dillon Gabriel during a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The timing of the decision was likely on purpose to prevent Shedeur Sanders from getting in the game.
They do not want to deal with the inevitable quarterback controversy and ignorance is bliss.
It will be interesting to see how the organization chooses to move forward at the position. To make a permanent change at this point in the NFL season would only create even more drama.
Joe Flacco had a rough day.
The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns by a final score of 41-17. Joe Flacco completed only 25 of his 45 pass attempts for 199 yards and one touchdown.
All things considered, the box score was not horrible. But it wasn’t good.
The interception was rough.
INTERCEPTION @WigginNathaniel!!!! 60-YARD RETURN!!!!
Tune in on CBS / @paramountplus! pic.twitter.com/muUbkbOxEc
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 14, 2025
Even his lone touchdown of the day was ill-advised.
kept his eyes on it the whole way#CLEvsBAL on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/5A1L1BsSPx
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 14, 2025
Now, to be fair, the defense allowed 41 points. And it’s not like the Browns’ offensive line gave Flacco a lot of time in the pocket.
STRIP-SACK!!!!
ROQUAN SMITH RECOVERS AND TAKES IT TO THE HOUSE!!!!!
Tune in on CBS / @paramountplus. pic.twitter.com/AjjkZz2qbd
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 14, 2025
However, the (elite) 40-year-old quarterback looked like a (not so elite) 40-year-old.
Enter Dillon Gabriel.
Cleveland decided to swap out Joe Flacco for Dillon Gabriel on its final offensive drive of the game. The third-round rookie finished 3-for-3. They were short throws but a completion is a completion.
Dillion Gabriel completed his first career pass, after Joe Flacco was benched 😂
Shedeur is now considered the backup? Was a weird decision starting Flacco in the first place.
Way to go DG! pic.twitter.com/2jpFnThPxH
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) September 14, 2025
Gabriel capped his first regular season drive with his first regular season touchdown.
first NFL TD for Dillon and Dylan#CLEvsBAL on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/FZ9qny1YLq
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 14, 2025
It looked easy. The Browns moved down the field at will (against the Ravens’ backups).
Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders remained on the sideline next to Flacco.
Shedeur Sanders Cleveland Browns
NFL on CBS
The almost Baltimore Ravens backup did not see the field.
Shedeur Sanders is up next.
Flacco played late into the fourth quarter. Cleveland did not make the quarterback switch until it was far too late to mount a comeback.
I am fully convinced it was on purpose.
The Browns were never going to win this game. They want to keep Flacco as the starter moving forward.
If they went to Gabriel any earlier than they did, it would’ve opened the door for one of two scenarios:
Dillon Gabriel leads a miraculous comeback to win the starting job moving forward.
Dillon Gabriel fumbles, throws two interceptions and poops his pants.
It would’ve been a lose-lose.
If Gabriel replaced Flacco and won the game or came close, Cleveland would have no choice but to bench the veteran. The cries for Sanders would then grow even louder if Gabriel did not play well in his next game.
If Gabriel replaced Flacco and played horribly, Cleveland would have no choice but to give Sanders a shot. And then it would have an even bigger mess on its hands.
By keeping Joe Flacco on the field until garbage time, it makes a statement that he is the guy. Fans are going to want Gabriel to start next week based on his one drive but the team may not agree.
This at least gives them the option to choose. It also keeps Sanders on the bench for as long as possible to avoid the inevitable media circus that comes with him.
The Cleveland Browns did their best to avoid a quarterback controversy by refusing to bench Joe Flacco until it was late. Change my mind.
Grayson Weir BroBible editor avatar