Browns Quarterback Shuffle: Zappe to Start Against the Ravens
Shifts in the Quarterback Position
As the Cleveland Browns wrap up their 2024 NFL season, the spotlight is firmly on the quarterback situation. With Deshaun Watson sidelined due to a season-ending Achilles injury, the Browns are exploring their options under center. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has announced that Bailey Zappe will take the reins as the starting quarterback for the finale against the Baltimore Ravens. However, fans might also see Dorian Thompson-Robinson getting some snaps.
Zappe’s Journey and Statistics
Bailey Zappe's journey to the Browns' starting lineup has been anything but straightforward. Starting his career with the New England Patriots, Zappe was selected as a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. After a stint on the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad, he found a spot on the Browns' active roster in late October. Zappe has eight NFL starts under his belt, holding a career record of four wins and four losses. His stats include 2,053 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and a hefty 21 interceptions, with a completion rate of 63.2%. As he steps onto the field for the Browns, he not only aims to improve his personal stats but also secures an interesting place in history as Cleveland's 40th starting quarterback since 1999.
The Stakes of the Ravens Matchup
This last clash of the season is crucial for both teams, albeit for different reasons. For the Ravens, who are two-touchdown favorites, a victory ensures they clinch the No. 3 seed in the AFC, along with the AFC North title. Meanwhile, the Browns, currently eyeing the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, might see this game as an opportunity to assess their roster’s depth and future potential. With Zappe now leading the offense, Browns fans will be keenly watching to see how he handles the high pressure of the Ravens defense and whether he can provide a glimmer of hope for the subsequent season.
As the final whistle of the season draws near, the Browns and their new quarterback have an opportunity to make a statement, regardless of the playoff implications for their opponents. Will Bailey Zappe seize his moment in the limelight, or will the Baltimore Ravens once again prove too formidable an opposition? Football is, after all, unpredictable, and that’s exactly what makes it such compelling theater.