The Browns' Quarterback Dilemma: Zappe to Start Against Ravens
As the Cleveland Browns prepare to close out their 2024 NFL season, attention has shifted heavily towards their quarterback situation. The team is navigating a challenging period following the devastating Achilles injury that has sidelined Deshaun Watson for the remainder of the season. The Browns find themselves relying on a lesser-known figure—Bailey Zappe—who will take the reins as the starting quarterback in their final regular-season game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski officially named Zappe as the starter for the crucial matchup. However, there is a possibility that both Bailey Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson will see playing time, indicating that the Browns are keeping their options open. This strategy might be seen as a necessary move in such a pivotal game against the formidable Ravens, who are favored by two touchdowns going into Sunday's contest.
Bailey Zappe: A Journey to Cleveland
Zappe's path to starting quarterback for the Browns has been anything but straightforward. Drafted by the New England Patriots as a fourth-round pick in 2022, Zappe's NFL journey saw him released by the Patriots before finding a spot on the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad. In late October, the Browns added him to their active roster, thrusting him into the spotlight after Watson's unfortunate injury.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Zappe brings with him a reasonable degree of NFL experience. Having started eight games in the league, he has accumulated a career record of 4-4. Over these games, Zappe has thrown for 2,053 yards, with 11 touchdowns and 21 interceptions—a stat line that underscores both potential and areas that need improvement.
Zappe's career completion rate of 63.2% will be crucial if the Browns are to have any success against a Ravens team hungry for a victory that would secure them the AFC North title and the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. Sunday's start will also mark a significant milestone for Zappe, making him the 40th quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999—a reflection of the team's longstanding search for stability at the position.
Implications of the Ravens Matchup
The game against the Ravens is not just another season finale for the Browns. While the Ravens have much at stake, aiming to clinch the division crown and bolster their playoff positioning, the Browns are eyeing a future where they can regroup and rebuild. A win for Cleveland would be a significant morale booster and possibly provide the momentum needed for the team as they look toward the 2025 NFL Draft. Currently, the Browns are targeting the No. 3 pick, positioning them to make strategic moves in the offseason aimed at further strengthening their roster.
For the Ravens, the stakes are clear. A victory would solidify their standing and ensure they host a playoff game. Therefore, the Browns, with Zappe at the helm, face a sizeable challenge—a Ravens team that will not be taking them lightly, given the high stakes of playoff seeding implications.
The Road Ahead
As the Browns navigate this turbulent season's final chapter, they are presented with an opportunity to evaluate key personnel and strategies that could define their future. Bailey Zappe, now thrust into the starting role, will look not only to prove his worth as a capable NFL quarterback but also to potentially earn a spot in the team's long-term plans.
While the challenge against the Ravens is significant, it also embodies the wide-open possibilities that the future holds for the Browns. Whether Zappe can seize the moment and lead the team to an unlikely victory remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the battle for the Browns' quarterback position—and the team’s broader identity—continues, setting the stage for an intriguing offseason.