The Cleveland Browns have made a decisive move at quarterback, benching veteran Joe Flacco after a disappointing start to the 2025 season. The team announced that rookie Dillon Gabriel will take over as the starter moving forward.

Flacco, 40, was brought in to provide stability and leadership, but his on-field production never matched expectations. Through the first four games, he managed just two touchdown passes against six interceptions, while Cleveland’s offense ranked near the bottom of the league in both scoring and efficiency. Costly turnovers and stalled drives put added pressure on a defense that has been one of the team’s few bright spots.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski had been reluctant to make a change but admitted the Browns needed a “spark” offensively. Gabriel, who showed flashes of playmaking ability in preseason, now gets the opportunity to prove himself against NFL defenses.

The decision underscores a shift in the Browns’ strategy, prioritizing the evaluation of young talent over leaning on an aging veteran. Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP, will remain with the team in a backup role, where his experience could still provide value.

For the Browns, the move represents both risk and opportunity. If Gabriel rises to the challenge, Cleveland could finally have the quarterback of the future. If not, questions will only grow louder about the team’s long-term plan at the position.

Either way, benching Flacco signals a turning point in the Browns’ season — and possibly in the franchise’s search for lasting stability under center.