Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has ruled out a change at quarterback following a disappointing 41-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on September 17, 2023. The defeat marked the Browns’ second consecutive loss, leaving them at 0-2 for the season. Joe Flacco, who returned to Baltimore for the first time since 2018 after an extensive career with the Ravens, struggled significantly during the game, contributing to the team’s offensive woes.
Flacco’s performance included two turnovers, one of which was an interception that the Ravens converted into a touchdown, giving them a dominating lead of 20-3 early in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Flacco lost a fumble that was returned by linebacker Roquan Smith for a 64-yard touchdown. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel took the field for the final series, marking his first appearance in the NFL and throwing his first touchdown pass.
Despite Flacco’s challenges, Stefanski stated that he is not considering a quarterback change. When asked directly if he might make a switch, he firmly replied, “No.” He acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “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.”
Flacco himself addressed concerns about his performance, emphasizing that he is not focused on job security. “I can’t worry about that stuff anyway,” he remarked after the game. “It’s honestly not on my mind. I got to go out there and just play my game, play the way I know how to. Lead this team the best I can.”
The Browns’ offense has struggled to find its rhythm, failing to reach 20 points in both of their first two games. In fact, they have not surpassed this threshold in 16 of their last 19 matchups. Despite these offensive troubles, the defense has shown resilience, notably holding the Cincinnati Bengals to just 7 net yards in the second half of their Week 1 loss and limiting Ravens running back Derrick Henry to only 23 rushing yards in Week 2.
Flacco expressed disappointment in the offense’s performance but remains hopeful for improvement. “We don’t have to go score 50 every night, but we can play good football and put up enough points,” he said. “I think we have the ability to do that right now and then maybe take the next step a few games from now.”
The Browns now turn their attention to their upcoming game against the undefeated Green Bay Packers in Week 3, looking to turn their season around and secure their first win. The pressure is on as they seek to address their early-season struggles and build momentum moving forward.
