The Cleveland Browns are in a situation of inevitability.
Joe Flacco is their starting quarterback, and he’s 40 years old, and the Browns are 0-2.
This season isn’t going anywhere, and Flacco isn’t the future. Everyone can read those tea leaves.
Eventually, Flacco will be benched. And when that happens, rookie QB Dillon Gabriel will get the chance to start (with maybe a shot down the road coming for Shedeur Sanders, too).
When will that be?
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This is what ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on Wednesday morning:
“Cleveland’s situation bears monitoring. Joe Flacco is safe for now, but like most bridge quarterbacks fending off a rookie backup, the only way to successfully keep the job is to win a few games. That was the case with Jacoby Brissett eventually losing the job to Drake Maye in New England last season, though that situation was different because of Maye’s status as the No. 3 pick. But that general theme applies. Otherwise, teams pivot to the younger option, thinking that the player can spark the offense or provide hope for the future. Flacco has maintained his arm strength and can still move a little. He was very crisp in Week 1. But Dillon Gabriel’s mobility is an asset if or when Cleveland turns to him.”
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The Browns got their first regular season look at Gabriel in Week 2.
With the Browns getting blown out by the Baltimore Ravens, Gabriel came into the game and led a touchdown drive, capping it off with a 13-yard TD pass to rookie running back Dylan Sampson.
The game was out of hand, so it doesn’t have major meaning, but it’s experience Gabriel will be able to call upon when his number is called again.
And that time could be approaching quickly.
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