Daniel Oyefusi
The Cleveland Browns are benching veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and can flip to rookie Dillon Gabriel as their starter for Sunday's sport in London in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings.
Browns gamers have been knowledgeable of the quarterback change Wednesday morning, sources informed ESPN's Adam Schefter. The crew formally introduced the choice later Wednesday however didn't disclose a depth chart behind Gabriel.
Flacco will function Cleveland's backup Sunday, whereas rookie Shedeur Sanders will stay the third-string quarterback, sources informed Schefter.
Flacco began Cleveland's first 4 video games however has thrown six interceptions this season, together with a pair of first-half interceptions in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Gabriel changed Flacco within the ultimate collection in Detroit, as he did for the final possession in a 41-17 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. After the loss to the Lions, coach Kevin Stefanski sidestepped a query about sticking with Flacco in Week 5.
Flacco has an NFL-high eight turnovers, and his 27.0 Complete QBR ranks above solely Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward amongst qualifying passers.
By way of 4 video games, the Browns have the NFL's second-lowest scoring offense, averaging simply 14 factors per sport.
The Browns chosen Gabriel — a six-year school participant at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon — with the 94th choose in April's draft. Gabriel acquired vital follow reps with the beginning offense throughout coaching camp, which signaled the teaching employees's perception that he was able to play sooner moderately than later.
After spending the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts, Flacco reunited with the Browns, signing a one-year, $4 million deal. Flacco, the 2023 NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr, emerged from a crowded quarterback room that additionally included Sanders and Kenny Pickett.
Pickett was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving Gabriel and Sanders as Flacco's backups to open the season. Gabriel was named the No. 2 QB, whereas Sanders has been the emergency QB.
