The Cleveland Browns just saw Joe Flacco play at an elite level against the Pittsburgh Steelers. A general sentiment may have been regret after trading him to the Bengals, especially after Dillon Gabriel has not showcased confidence. But Myles Garrett seems to echo a different sentiment.

He recently spoke about Joe Flacco’s performance in an interview. “Maybe his style doesn’t fit us as we wanna run it. That’s what I see,” he said. Garrett’s words had no ounce of regret about the trade.. He further dismissed any emotional ties, saying, “That ain’t got nothing to do with me…Joe looked like Joe.” That was not all.

He still seems unhappy with the Browns’ current offensive struggles.  

The defensive end also voiced out his frustration about Cleveland’s stagnant offense and a coaching approach that seems stuck in neutral. “I’m not going to stop being frustrated until we win. And one win’s not going to be enough.”

With the Browns sitting at 1-5, they’ve watched their season unravel in a painfully familiar way. Fans will be remember the team’s 1-5 start in 2024 and 2-4 run in the first six games of 2022. Garrett voiced what every frustrated fan is feeling: the losing is taking a toll.

“It’s frustrating as hell,” he admitted.

As Flacco thrives elsewhere, Garrett’s comments flipped the narrative. Instead of blaming the trade decision, he pointed the finger back home. His message was clear: the problem isn’t who left; it’s what’s still broken. And unless something changes fast, Cleveland’s cycle of false dawns will roll on once again.

Browns feel Joe Flacco’s absence as Dillon Gabriel fails to step up

The quarterback trouble began months ago. Four quarterbacks entered camp fighting for the starting role. Predictably, it turned into confusion. Now, only two remain, and the Browns are sitting at dead last in the AFC North.

Dillon Gabriel currently leads the offense after Joe Flacco’s trade following Week 5. But the Browns haven’t won since. Gabriel has started both games, but the results have been rough. Across two weeks, he’s thrown the ball 85 times and completed just 56.4% of his passes. The offense hasn’t scored enough, and Cleveland has been outscored by more than ten points per game during that stretch.

Fans are growing restless, and even franchise legend Joe Thomas voiced his concerns. “You want to give them the best, most fair opportunity,” Thomas said on 92.3 The Fan. “Are they getting it to the right guy? …Are they making good decisions? Those things are not always apparent right away.”

Head coach Kevin Stefanski continues to back Gabriel, though Sanders’ name grows louder by the week. The former Colorado star has been waiting patiently. One more poor showing from Gabriel might change that. At the same time, the Browns are already eyeing the draft. With a top-two pick looming, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has emerged as a name to watch. His past connection with Browns assistant Bill Musgrave only adds intrigue.

As Cleveland’s quarterback carousel keeps spinning, for now, there’s no end in sight.