Are Browns making right choice starting rookie QB again?
The Browns announced that they are sticking with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson as their starting quarterback in the team’s Week 12 matchup against the Broncos. Is that the right decision?
Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland’s fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, certainly didn’t do anything special in the Week 11 win against the Steelers, as he threw for just 165 yards and an interception.
The Browns also signed veteran QB Joe Flacco to their practice squad.
The addition of Flacco was more so to add some much-needed depth and experience after QB Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury than anything else. But Cleveland may come to realize Flacco is the better option to help it reach its high aspirations this season.
The former first-round pick and Super Bowl XLVII MVP has thrown for 42,320 yards, 232 touchdowns and 147 interceptions in his career. Thompson-Robinson has just 295 yards, zero touchdowns and four interceptions through four games.
Neither player needs to play hero ball thanks to Cleveland’s defense, which has allowed the fewest total yards per game (243.3) and the sixth-fewest points per game (18) in the league. But the team needs better production than what Thompson-Robinson has provided thus far.
The rookie quarterback could have a bounce back performance on Sunday as Denver is allowing the most total yards per game (400.1) and third most points per game (26.8). However, it won’t be easy.
The Broncos are surprisingly one of the hottest teams in the league, currently on a four-game win streak that includes victories over the Chiefs and Bills.
It is smart of the Browns to not make a quarterback change so quickly, but Thompson-Robinson will likely be on a short leash as the team fights for a spot in the playoffs.
