Cleveland Browns
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Browns fans urge for Joe Flacco to start Week 3.
The Cleveland Browns suffered a 41-17 rout at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens on the road in Week 2 to fall to 0-2 on the year.
It was a disappointing loss for the Browns, and in the game, Joe Flacco was benched in favor of Dillon Gabriel. After the game, Browns fans took to social media to call for Flacco to remain the starting quarterback, despite the struggles from the veteran.
“He didn’t play well today, however, he did play well in week 1. I would give him another week and I would let him cut it loose,” a fan wrote.
“Absolutely not you can’t feed a rookie qb to that packers defense get through next week then make the move,” a fan added.
Many fans believe Flacco needs to start another game or two, as starting a rookie against Green Bay in Week 3 wouldn’t be wise.
“They will eventually but probably not for a little while yet. New QB won’t improve anything but maybe scrambling. If the younger guys play, at least you get an idea of what they can or can’t do,” a fan wrote.
“Week 7 against Miami is the move,” a fan added.
“Wait until after Week 4 at least. Packers D is amazing, Lions just a tier below. Vikings or Steelers are your best chance to make the change,” a fan wrote.
If the Browns do make a quarterback change, Gabriel would likely be the starter, but perhaps Cleveland would also turn to Shedeur Sanders down the road as well.
Browns Coach Confirms Flacco Will Start Week 3
Despite Flacco being benched in the game, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Flacco will remain the starting quarterback.
“I don’t think we did good enough. I think that collectively as a team, we as an offense, we as the coaching staff, all of us didn’t do a good enough job,” Stefanski said.
Flacco, meanwhile, said after the game that he wasn’t focusing on if he had lost his job or not.
“I can’t worry about that stuff anyway. It’s honestly not on my mind,” Flacco said. “I gotta go out there and just play my game. Play the way I know how to lead this team the best I can. All that other stuff is out of my control. It is what it is.”
Flacco went 25-for-45 for 199 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Gabriel, meanwhile, went 3-for-3 for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Cleveland Owner Wanted Rookie QBs to Play
Although Browns fans and Stefanski want Flacco to start in Week 3, the owner, Jimmy Haslam, made it clear that he wanted the rookie quarterbacks to see the field this season.
“Kevin is aware of (needing to see the rookie quarterbacks play),” Haslam said. “He knows how important the quarterback is, and he and Andrew talk about those kinds of things all the time. Daily ongoing conversation.”
Although the Browns’ owner wants to see the rookie quarterbacks play, it likely won’t happen for the time being, as Stefanski is committed to Flacco.
Cleveland will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.