The Cleveland Browns are closing another tough season with yet another change at quarterback, their fourth starter this year and the 40th since 1999. For the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, head coach Kevin Stefanski has named Bailey Zappe as the team’s starting quarterback. The Browns, sitting at 3-13, have been mired in a five-game losing streak, with injuries and inconsistent quarterback play defining their year.
The quarterback situation in Cleveland has been tumultuous. Deshaun Watson began the season as the starter but ruptured his Achilles tendon in October, ending his season prematurely. Jameis Winston stepped in to take over but suffered a throwing shoulder injury, opening the door for rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick in 2023, to take the reins. Despite these changes, no quarterback has managed to stabilize the offense or deliver consistent results.
Coach Stefanski has indicated that Thompson-Robinson will see playing time in the upcoming game, despite having dealt with a calf injury that limited his participation earlier in the week. He practiced fully on Thursday, while Winston, still recovering from his shoulder injury, has been listed as questionable. Amid this uncertainty, the Browns are looking to Zappe to lead the team in their final game of the season.
Bailey Zappe brings some NFL experience to the table, though he hasn’t yet played for the Browns. During his time with the New England Patriots from 2022 to 2023, Zappe appeared in 14 games, starting eight of them. He threw for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions during his tenure there. After being waived by the Patriots in August, Zappe joined the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad before being claimed by Cleveland in October and signed to the active roster in December.
The Browns hope Zappe can provide some spark to close out the season. With their record already cemented as one of the league’s worst, the game serves more as a test of depth and potential for the future than a meaningful contest. Cleveland will use this opportunity to evaluate players like Zappe and Thompson-Robinson, as they look to regroup and rebuild in the offseason.
