Dorian Thompson-Robinson hopes to show he's 'worth something' to Browns if he gets start
CLEVELAND — Dorian Thompson-Robinson's opportunity in Sunday's 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs was supposed to come earlier. The Browns quarterback's chance to start, though, may just be arriving.
Thompson-Robinson took over Sunday for starter Jameis Winston with 7:57 remaining in the fourth quarter. The presumptive reason was the three interceptions Winston had thrown to that point, including one in the end zone to end the previous series.
Those three picks could be the reason why Thompson-Robinson may get the starting nod in the Browns' final three games this season. It would be the kind of opportunity he has asked for, but found fleeting, over his first two seasons.
"Yeah, man, I'm trying to prove that I'm worth something to this team, that I can help this team in any way I can," Thompson-Robinson said afterward. "So that's really what, if I do get the opportunity, it's going to be to show, improve and send the rest of this team out on a high note going into next year."
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game he was "not going to get into any decisions right now.” Thompson-Robinson said he hadn't been told anything and that "we're focusing on tonight."
Tomorrow, though, will come quickly for both the Browns and their quarterbacks, be it Winston, Thompson-Robinson or, even, Bailey Zappe. Because of the past 14 games and their 3-11 record, the literal tomorrow will truly be looking toward the figurative tomorrow as well.
“I think with any decision, I’ll obviously work through those types of things," Stefanski said. "This is not about one person, I will make that very clear. Jameis does a great job preparing for these games. He’s fighting his tail off and I appreciate that from him, but we’ll make that decision later.”
Thompson-Robinson's opportunity Sunday included two possessions. He finished 4-of-9 passing for 18 yards with an interception, a 2-yard run and a 12.0 passer rating.
However, Thompson-Robinson said his first appearance Sunday wasn't when it was supposed to have happened. He actually expected to play earlier, but "circumstances of the drives" prevented that from happening.
"Yeah, I've had a package of plays up every week," Thompson-Robinson said. "So that's always the plan to try and get me in at least a few times here and there. So, yeah."
If Thompson-Robinson were to get the starting nod next Sunday at the Cincinnati Bengals, it would be the latest opportunity for him to try to establish himself on the field. The former UCLA star's NFL opportunities have come in fits and starts since being a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft.
There were three combined starts a year ago because of injuries to Deshaun Watson, but only two of those were back to back. He was the backup in Week 7 this season when Watson suffered his season-ending Achilles injury, but ultimately Winston got the nod over him.
Thompson-Robinson's career has featured 12 combined appearances. That includes four this season, giving his teammates at least some baseline from which to build should he get the nod.
“We've just got to get used to his cadence," left guard Joel Bitonio said. "I'm sure they're going to have some more designed runs for him. I mean, you saw a couple in there. He's going to scramble a little bit more, but the times I played with Dorian last year, I thought he was developing well, and he was understanding it's a pocket league where you've got to step up and make plays. And I thought he was doing a good job with the few opportunities he had last year.”
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceusterlingABJ