The Browns' offensive struggles have prompted a change under center.
Cleveland is benching veteran starting quarterback Joe Flacco and replacing him with rookie signal-caller Dillon Gabriel, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday. The Browns later announced the QB change.
Gabriel's first start will come on Sunday in London against the Minnesota Vikings. Flacco will serve as backup with rookie fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders as the emergency third QB.
Flacco's watch as Cleveland's top QB ends after one month in his second stint with the team, a stretch that saw him complete just 58.1% of his passes for 815 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions. Those totals aren't entirely Flacco's fault, of course: three crucial drops either resulted in turnovers or stalled drives in a one-point loss in Week 1, and the Browns haven't received much consistency from their pass catchers over their first four games.
Flacco wasn't propelling this offense forward, either. His lack of mobility severely limited what the Browns could do offensively, and when Cleveland found itself in third-and-long -- a rather frequent occurrence in the first month -- opposing defenses were free to tee off on Flacco, especially once injuries at both tackle spots weakened the Browns' pass protection.
Cleveland's offensive struggles predate Flacco's second stint with the team -- the Browns have scored 17 points or less in nine straight games, the longest streak in the NFL -- but also they clearly weren't headed toward improvement with Flacco at the controls. Instead, they'll turn to Gabriel, the third-round pick whose Day 2 selection stunned much of the football world back in April.
In two preseason showings against the Eagles and Rams, Gabriel demonstrated quick decision-making, accurate passing and enough athleticism to escape the pocket, extend plays and occasionally scramble for positive gains. He doesn't own the same strong arm as Flacco, but what he lacks in throwing power can be replaced by his ability to roll away from pressure, a vital skill given the Browns' struggles up front.
Gabriel will not find a friendly opponent in his first start. Cleveland heads to London to face the 2-2 Vikings, a team that features a defense known for making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
As one of two rookie quarterbacks on the roster -- and undoubtedly the less popular of the two -- Gabriel will also be under a microscope of scrutiny as soon as he steps on the field. Those clamoring for playing time for Sanders will be lying in wait, ready to criticize at the first opportunity.
It will be up to Gabriel to execute Kevin Stefanski's offense and quiet the persistent noise that follows him and the 1-3 Browns to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
