Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has left the door open for the team to make a starting quarterback change ahead of the Week 5 game against the Minnesota Vikings in London.
Kevin Stefanski not ruling out Browns starting quarterback change in Week 5 originally appeared on The Sporting News
As the Cleveland Browns prepare to head overseas for a Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, the door is apparently open for a quarterback change.
The current starter, Joe Flacco, has not been good in 2025. He had yet another rough outing in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, when he threw a pair of picks, one of which was about as ugly an interception as you'll ever see.
When asked about a potential quarterback change for Week 5 on Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski left the door open.
"My focus is on making sure this offense plays better," Stefanski said.
If the Browns do decide to make the switch, third-round pick Dillon Gabriel figures to get the first look. Gabriel is currently listed as the No. 2 quarterback on the Browns' depth chart ahead of Shedeur Sanders.
Asked several times if he's sticking with Joe Flacco as the starting QB, #Browns coach Kevin Stefanski says it's not about one person: "My focus is on making sure this offense plays better."
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2025
Not ruling out, or committing to, a change. They face the #Vikings in London on Sunday.
While Gabriel would likely get the nod over Sanders, it remains to be seen if the Colorado product would get a push up the depth chart to No. 2 if Flacco gets benched.
Stefanski wasn't ready to answer that question, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Gabriel has entered a game twice this season, playing a total of seven snaps. He took the field in Week 4 in garbage time but was 0-for-1 and handed the ball off twice on a drive that went three-and-out.
If the Browns do decide to make a change and go from Flacco to Gabriel, the rookie will be in a tough spot.
Not only will he have to overcome the adjustment needed to play overseas, he'll also be facing a Vikings defense that is ranked third against the pass.
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