As the Browns were trailing 41-10 against the Ravens in Week 2, Kevin Stefanski had no reason to keep Joe Flacco under the center. The HC finally pulled the plug and tossed rookie Dillon Gabriel into the fire. Did it change the outcome, though?

Certainly not. Cleveland still walked off with a 41-17 loss to their division rivals. But if there was any silver lining, it’s that the staff at least got to see their third-rounder get some live reps (3/3 for 19 yards and one touchdown).

Which naturally raises a question with Week 3 against the Packers on deck: Could Stefanski actually bench Flacco? Mary Kay Cabot isn’t buying it. She points out the Browns have way bigger problems than deciding between a 40-year-old vet and a rookie QB. The offensive line is leaking, and the run game’s sputtering.

“There are so many other things right now going on with the offense that I don’t think they’re looking at it like this is Joe (Flacco) thing,” Cabot said on 92.3 The Fan, addressing whether the Browns have changed their game plan or not heading into Week 3.

“I mean, they had offensive line problems in that game. Quinshon Judkins, it was his first game back after only two practices. The receivers aren’t necessarily synced up with Joe yet. There are issues going on. He was always supposed to be supported with a robust running game, and he hasn’t had that yet.”

Talking about the Browns’ issues, which are many, if we’re being real, we’ll study them position by position. First off, the offensive line. It’s ugly. In Week 2, the Ravens’ defense went after Flacco all game and managed to put him under pressure 17 times, per PFF.

Out of those 17 pressures, 10 came from just two spots on the Browns’ O-line: the right tackle (Cornelius Lucas) and the right guard (Wyatt Teller). And considering Flacco is righty, pressures from the right tackle and guard meant a few things: the QB found it difficult to plant his feet, step out, and often had to rush throws.

Second, the ground game wasn’t clicking as well. In their season opener against the Bengals, Cleveland managed a miserable 49 rushing yards. Week 2 looked a little better. Rookie Quinshon Judkins gave them a spark with 61 yards on 10 carries, and the team finished with 115 on the ground.

That’s encouraging, sure. But let’s pump the brakes. It was Judkins’ very first game after only a handful of offseason practices. One solid debut doesn’t magically fix a sputtering run game.

Last but not least, the passing game. It’s kind of a mixed bag in the first couple of weeks. Sure, they piled up 278 and 207 yards through the air in the first two games, respectively. But sitting at 0-2, Cleveland’s passing attack isn’t stretching the field.

Flacco has hit only one pass all season that traveled 20+ yards in the air. The deep ball isn’t working because the offensive line is struggling. And on throws in the medium range (10–19 yards downfield), he’s completed 11 of 19 passes. Yes, it’s not awful, but it’s not strong enough to carry the offense.

“I think every week is a different challenge from a coverage standpoint, from a rush protection standpoint. And you have to find the schemes and obviously put the players in positions,” Kevin Stefanski said. “There’s also times when you’re going to call those plays or try to get to those plays and the defense won’t allow you to.”

Long story short: While the quarterback situation has been a lingering headache for Stefanski, this year included, the Browns have bigger problems to fix, as Cabot highlighted. It’s no wonder many are labeling them one of the league’s worst teams right now.

Here comes Shedeur Sanders’ trade talks

The dawn of Shedeur Sanders’ future in Cleveland hasn’t arrived, yet the whispers of trade are already stirring. Once again. This time, it’s the Bengals, who seem to enter the chat. Joe Burrow went down with turf toe in Week 2 against the Jaguars. And yes, he’s not expected to return for at least three months from now.

Jake Browning is currently the starting quarterback. The Bengals have also signed a couple of QBs to their practice squad. But Browning is still regarded as the backup QB. And that’s where Shedeur Sanders’ trade speculations come in.

Right after Burrow went down and got ruled out for three months, ClutchPoints pitched an idea: The Bengals could trade for Shedeur in exchange for a fourth and sixth-round pick. Which makes you wonder if it could actually happen. For now, sure, the Browns might think about it.

But if we’re being real, a trade feels pretty unlikely for a couple of reasons. For starters, Flacco is struggling to win games, and it seems just a matter of time before the Browns bench him. Second, Browning seems to lead the Bengals until Burrow returns. And Rich Eisen believes that the backup QB is better than the third of the starting QBs.

“I don’t think the season’s over [for the Bengals]. I think Jake Browning is better than maybe a third of the starting quarterbacks in the NFL,” Eisen noted. “How does that sound? I think Jake Browning’s that good. I think Jake Browning is the best backup QB in the NFL.”

Having said that, while the trade speculations are palpable, Kevin Stefanski is unlikely to trade the Colorado product. But then again, it’s the Browns’ quarterback room we’re talking about. Here, everything is possible. Except for a stable quarterback room.