The Cleveland Browns are staring at a 0-2 start after Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and the noise around the QB position has only gotten louder. Fans flooded social media demanding rookie backup Dillon Gabriel get the nod in Week 3 over veteran Joe Flacco. But head coach Kevin Stefanski isn’t entertaining it.

“Browns Stefanski said he won’t consider a quarterback change from Joe Flacco to Dillon Gabriel,” as reported by Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot on X. A firm statement of faith in the 40-year-old Flacco, who went 25-of-45 for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception against Baltimore. By contrast, Gabriel’s cameo, where he completed all three of his passes for 20 yards and an 8-yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Dylan Sampson, was perfect enough to fuel fan frustration.

For now, the HC is keeping the wheel steady. Cleveland has lost its first two games, but the offense has actually outgained opponents in both outings. That may be enough for Stefanski to ride with Flacco, betting on stability over a spark. Zac Jackson of The Athletic didn’t dance around the bigger picture when asked on 92.3 The Fan if Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry will survive the year.

“Through the season, yeah. I mean, going forward, I don’t know,” Jackson admitted, before pointing to the obvious frustration. “How could there be any reaction right now from the fans except apathy and anger, right? And that’s when you say, of course, you didn’t have much chance in Baltimore, but it’s got to be more competitive. And that’s how this goes off the rails, and there’s no justification for keeping them, right?”

Jackson’s words hit at the raw nerves around Cleveland. He stressed that a QB switch after just two weeks “would signal a panic,” yet also laid out the flaws that have made this offense unwatchable at times—receivers failing to separate, missed blocks stacking up, and third downs wasted. “It’s been bad, and it’s been predictably bad, and that’s why there’s this angst,” he concluded.

And he’s right: the Browns didn’t lose because they were outgained; they lost because they quite self-destructed. The proof is in the turnovers. Joe Flacco coughed up two more against Baltimore—a fumble and an interception—bringing his total to four giveaways in two weeks.

Even Stefanski couldn’t deny the damage: “We gave them 21 via a blocked punt, a fumble recovery, and an interception. It’s just hard to win — it’s hard to win period — but it’s hard to win when you do that.” The Browns actually outgained the Ravens 322–242, but the miscues wrote the script. For now, Gabriel’s mobility is shelved, but with a brutal run against the Packers, Vikings, and Lions looming, it feels like only a matter of time before Cleveland turns the page on Flacco.

Kevin Stefanski stares down his harshest opening yet

Joe Flacco walked back into Baltimore not as the conquering hero but as the man tasked with toppling his old kingdom. But it was all replaced by a brutal test of reality. His words after the game carried the weight of a locker room staring at a Kevin Stefanski-led team sitting 0-2 for the first time. “It’s hard when you start off the season the way we have,” Flacco admitted. “There’s a lot of tests that you face in this league, and it’s very easy to put your head down, tuck your tail between your legs, and run off. And I just don’t see that in the guys in that locker room.” Not excuses—just the grim acceptance.

The Browns’ defense gave them everything. They smothered Baltimore’s ground game, holding Lamar Jackson’s offense to just 45 rushing yards—the lowest of his tenure as a starter. But football isn’t kind when mistakes pile up. Flacco’s fateful throw—meant for David Njoku—was ripped away by Nate Wiggins, who returned it 61 yards to the five-yard line. “I thought I had a chance there,” Flacco explained, reflecting on the decision.

“I thought if anything, it would be incomplete … even if you feel pressured to make something happen, you can’t let that happen.” Sealed by Roquan Smith scooping up a strip sack and returning it 63 yards for a touchdown. But here’s the kicker—Flacco’s postgame tone wasn’t of regret, but resolve. “I’m a part of this locker room right now… I’m a Cleveland Brown right now. And I’m glad to be one.” The Browns are staring down predictions of a freefall, whispers of 0-6 already in the air. Can Cleveland turn doubts into results? Or will this season become another chapter in the book of “what could have been”?