Browns Trust in Flacco: Stefanski Rules Out QB Change After Loss to Ravens

Stefanski Dismisses Changes at Quarterback Position After Browns’ Loss

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has ruled out making changes at the quarterback position following the 41-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, which left the team with an 0-2 record. Joe Flacco, who was playing in Baltimore for the first time since 2018, after an 11-year career with the Ravens, had two turnovers in the game. He threw an interception that the Ravens converted into a touchdown, putting Cleveland at a 20-3 disadvantage at the start of the third quarter. Later, Flacco lost a fumble in the final quarter that linebacker Roquan Smith returned 64 yards for a touchdown. Dillon Gabriel, the rookie, played the last series instead of Flacco and threw his first touchdown pass in the NFL. Flacco has thrown three interceptions and lost the ball four times in two games. Shedeur Sanders, also a rookie, was the emergency quarterback.

No.

Kevin Stefanski

When asked if he would consider a change, Stefanski responded with a resounding “No”. “I don’t think we played well enough. I think collectively as a team, as an offense, as a coaching staff, we all didn’t do a good enough job,” Stefanski added. Flacco, for his part, stated that he is not worried about his job security.

I can’t worry about those things anyway. Honestly, it’s not on my mind. I have to go out there and play my game, play how I know. Lead this team the best I can. Everything else is out of my control. It is what it is. The only thing I can control is how I play and how this team shows up every day. So, it’s really not in the thought process.

Joe Flacco

The Browns have failed to score 20 points in either of their first two games and haven’t reached that mark in 16 of their last 19 contests. Cleveland is struggling offensively early in the season, despite the performance of a defense that limited the Cincinnati Bengals to 7 net yards in the second half of the 17-16 Week 1 loss and then held running back Derrick Henry to 23 rushing yards in Week 2.

“We don’t have to score 50 every night, but we can play good football and score enough points and let those guys on defense focus and do what they do,” Flacco said. “Yeah, that’s the disappointing part. I think we have the ability to do it right now and then maybe take the next step in a few games from now. So I hope that starts to show a little bit.” In Week 3, the Browns will host the Green Bay Packers, who remain undefeated.