Following the season-ending injury to star quarterback Deshaun Watson last week, the Cleveland Browns officially added veteran free-agent quarterback Joe Flacco to the roster. But anybody expecting him to become the new starting quarterback for the team will likely be disappointed.
During his press conference on Monday, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed that the team isn’t bringing in Joe Flacco to serve as their new starting quarterback. Instead, he’ll just serve in a backup role to help support rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who will remain the starter.
“Dorian will start,” Stefanski said according to Scott Petrak of the Chronicle-Telegram. “Joe’s role is to support this team. We were able to add a guy with a ton of experience. He’ll be great for that room, he’ll be great for this team.”
With video https://t.co/deADT7ikzP pic.twitter.com/6K1JS51dMv
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) November 20, 2023
It’s pretty big news as many thought that Flacco could become the team’s starting quarterback going forward, with Watson sidelined for the year, and the NFL world had a lot to say about it on social media.
What did Mile High Joe say about Drew Lock . . .I'm not here to mentor anyone. https://t.co/Rjvm6P28is
— Kate Edwards (@lilwhip) November 20, 2023
Love DTR, but he’s not what we need right now. We are 7-3 and in position to make a run at this, why delay the process and kick the can down the road we all know DTR will be benched for Flacco. Give him all of the first team reps now and get him ready. #Browns 😪 https://t.co/ChZ7QBswC3
— Bryan Fraley Jr (@bryan_fraley) November 20, 2023
Good Flacco needs time to get up to speed but I would say this I think we see Flacco sooner than later https://t.co/VYpMEpnIgz
— Ryan O'Malley (@romalley216) November 20, 2023
I don’t mind it, but we gotta trust DTR more and open up that playbook. Keeping the playbook too tight is what allowed Pittsburgh back into the game late on Sunday https://t.co/gL92A60Iqq
— Mr. 3PEAT 🏆🏆🏆🇭🇹 (@Marcus_Twin2) November 20, 2023
Of course he’s gonna say that now Flacco just got to town doesn’t even know the playbook yet 🤣
— 𝓒𝓸𝓭𝔂 🫡 (@GoatWhiteBoy_) November 20, 2023
Well, that’s typical and deflating.
— dalegato (@dalegato) November 20, 2023
Even though Thompson-Robinson will clearly remain the starter for now, adding Flacco does provide the Browns depth and a few more options as the season progresses. We’ll have to see what happens.
