The Cleveland Browns are facing mounting questions at quarterback after another disappointing offensive showing. With veteran Joe Flacco struggling to move the ball, talk of a potential change has grown louder, and a recent podcast appearance by insider Tony Grossi hinted at where the team may be headed next.
How Short Is Joe Flacco’s Leash With the Cleveland Browns?
On an ESPN Cleveland podcast, Grossi was clear about the veteran’s thin margin for error. “He’s not going to last six games playing like that,” Grossi said, emphasizing that a change is not imminent. The Browns appear set to continue with Flacco as their starter against the Green Bay Packers, but the analyst’s tone suggests the leash is tightening.
“The hook is getting shorter… Gabriel is getting closer to playing,” – @TonyGrossi on the Browns QB situation. pic.twitter.com/IJ3oLcLeEZ
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 15, 2025
The discussion shifted to what might happen if the offense falters again. When asked if inserting a rookie could make sense, the host pressed: “You want to put a rookie in the play? When they look bad again, and when he looks old again, and the Packers win by 20, then what?”
In response, Grossi suggested the team is “trying to stretch it out to six games,” while acknowledging that rookie Dillon Gabriel will eventually get his chance.
Will Dillon Gabriel Seize the Starting Job?
The Browns drafted Gabriel in the third round of April’s NFL Draft, while Shedeur Sanders arrived later in the fifth. That draft position has already influenced the depth chart, positioning Gabriel as Flacco’s backup. His brief Week 2 cameo against the Baltimore Ravens gave fans a glimpse of his potential, as he completed all three of his passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Despite that spark, head coach Kevin Stefanski quickly put any speculation of a sudden switch to rest. According to an ESPN Cleveland report, Stefanski confirmed Flacco would remain the starter against Green Bay. This indicates the Browns are determined to give the 40-year-old a window to stabilize the offense before handing the reins to a rookie.
Fact or Fiction:
Shedeur Sanders will start 3 or more games for the Browns this season? @TonyGrossi says FICTION because he thinks Dillon Gabriel will hold onto the job….Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/4UlJwPQS9a
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) September 15, 2025
Grossi also weighed in on how the rookie competition might unfold over the entire season. He dismissed the idea when asked whether Sanders could start three or more games in 2025. “I’m gonna say fiction. Because I think once Gabriel gets in, he’s not gonna have a reason to give it up.”
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That belief underscores how the organization views its quarterback room. While Sanders’ college resume made him a notable name on draft day, Gabriel’s earlier selection and immediate role as QB2 point to where the Browns’ confidence lies.
Although Cleveland may not be ready to make a switch this week, the insider’s comments suggest a countdown is already underway. Whether Flacco can reset expectations or Gabriel steps in to seize the job, the decision could shape the course of the team’s season.
