Browns Struggle As Quarterback Change Looms Amid Season of Mistakes

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have found themselves in turmoil following their 34-10 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. As rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel prepares for his first NFL start in London, questions arise about the team’s offensive breakdowns that have plagued them throughout the season.

The Browns’ ongoing struggles seem to run deeper than just their quarterback play. Beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot expressed concern that the team looks like a “disaster so far,” going 1-3 as they face increasingly tough competition.

Podcast hosts Dan Labbe and Cabot discussed the team’s inability to overcome mistakes, highlighting the self-destructive nature of Sunday’s game. “Mistakes happen in football. You’ve got to be equipped to overcome them,” Labbe stated. The Browns failed to protect the football, which resulted in turnovers contributing to 24 of Detroit’s 31 points.

Despite the loss, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has shown promise, gaining impressive yardage against both the Packers and Lions. However, the offense struggles with a lack of identity and depth. Labbe noted, “The problems go beyond the quarterback,” pointing to the entire receiving corps as underperforming.

Former starter Joe Flacco has faced criticism, but Labbe emphasized that removing Flacco is not a panacea. The offensive unit’s issues are compounded by injury and questionable play-calling. Analyst Lance Reisland called out the team for underutilizing key playmakers like tight end David Njoku.

The offensive line, seen as a traditional strength for the Browns, was overwhelmed against Detroit. Reisland said, “You got to fix pass protection,” reinforcing the notion that any quarterback would face similar challenges behind a struggling line.

As the Browns prepare for Gabriel’s debut, there remains deep concern over whether he can spark the offense without first addressing its systemic flaws. The team’s success or failure may hinge on their ability to eliminate catastrophic mistakes that have defined their rocky start to the season.