Browns HC Talks Joe Flacco's Status as QB1, Says Struggles Aren't About 'One Person'

Despite cries from fans in northeast Ohio to make a quarterback change, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski put the blame on the offense's struggles on the entire unit rather than just Joe Flacco.

Speaking to reporters coming off a 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Stefanski explained the team's woes are "not about one person" when asked if he has considered replacing Flacco in the starting lineup.

"We have to play better as an offense," Stefanski said. "We have to coach better on offense. It's not about one person. There are so many things that we need to do better and obviously quarterback included, but this is not about one person."

There's a valid argument to Stefanski's point because Flacco isn't the only problem for the Browns offense right now. Their pass-catchers have 11 drops, second-most in the NFL.

The Browns' offensive line ranks 29th in ESPN's pass-block win rate metric. They are slightly better as a run-blocking unit, sitting at 15th in the league through four games.

When you combine a struggling group of receivers with an offensive line that doesn't do a good job of protecting a 40-year-old quarterback who was never all that mobile during his peak, it's no wonder the Browns have the second-worst offense by points per game this season.

However, Flacco also isn't doing anything to help the situation. He has eight turnovers (six interceptions) in four starts.

Flacco finished 16-of-34 for 184 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and one lost fumble against the Lions. One of those picks was on an arm punt that may have been a miscommunication with the receiver.

Stefanski has given Dillon Gabriel a few snaps in two of Cleveland's blowout losses. The rookie has completed three of his four attempts for 19 yards and one touchdown in 10 total snaps.

If things continue at this rate, there will come a point when Stefanski finally makes a change at quarterback with either Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders taking over.

A change may not solve all of the Browns' issues, but it at least gives them a chance to see what their future could look like if either of the rookies plays well.

Barring a surprise change of heart from Stefanski this week, Flacco will likely be leading Cleveland's offense on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings at Huntington Bank Field.