Browns quarterback starter for NFL Week 18 | Bailey Zappe to start against Ravens
BEREA — Bailey Zappe will be the 40th starting quarterback for the Browns since 1999 when he starts Saturday at the Baltimore Ravens. Dorian Thompson-Robinson will get playing time, but it's unknown how much and when.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski spoke to both quarterbacks after Thursday's practice to inform them of the plan. He said he wanted to speak with both quarterbacks about what the plan would be in Baltimore before announcing it to the public.
"Obviously it's a great opportunity," Zappe said Wednesday, before the decision was made. "Personally, I kind of look at it like I'm on a one-year deal here. I have no idea what the future holds for me, and it's a great opportunity for me to go out there and play some football and get some film for people to watch. Hopefully it's good film, but I'm excited for the opportunity."
Stefanski opened the door Tuesday as to potentially going to Zappe as the Browns' fourth starting quarterback this season. It's the second consecutive season the Browns have started at least four quarterbacks, and the third time since 1999.
Zappe had spent most of his time since joining the Browns on Oct. 22 operating the scout team. He was the No. 3 quarterback for most of the season until Jameis Winston was moved there in Week 16.
"There’s a limited number of reps to get guys ready, and that’s just the nature of the beast," Stefanski said. "Wanted to see both of those guys with the first group and see how they operate and those type of things. The story or the nature of backup quarterback play is you have to be ready to roll whether you know you’re starting, don’t know you’re starting. You could play number one of the game, somebody needs a shoelace you got to go in there. You got to always be ready at that position. That’s just part of that; it’s dealing with uncertainty.
"So, I thought both guys handled that part really well. I know, like anybody, you’d love to know what the exact plan is, but that’s life in the big city.”
The Browns have started Deshaun Watson, Winston and Thompson-Robinson over the course of the season. Watson's Week 7 Achilles injury opening the door for the revolving door of quarterbacks.
Winston will be the No. 3 emergency quarterback. He's held that spot the last two weeks after losing his starting job to Thompson-Robinson.
Thompson-Robinson has started the last two games — losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins — for the Browns. They have been outscored 44-9 in those two games, with the only touchdown coming on a run by Jerome Ford in the third quarter in Cincinnati.
The second-year quarterback out of UCLA is 44-of-81 passing for 327 yards with no touchdowns, three interceptions, a fumble loss and six sacks in his two starts, with four intentional grounding penalties as well. Over his six total appearances this season, he's completed 51.3% of his 115 passes for 427 yards with no touchdowns, six interceptions, seven sacks and a 38.6 passer rating.
"I mean, of course it's tough when you're losing and you're not playing well also," Thompson-Robinson said. "Coming with the same attitude every day. Got a bunch of plays in the day, got a bunch of extra routes in the day. My attitude and my effort was never going to change."
Zappe was originally signed to the roster off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad the same day Watson was placed on injured reserve. He has yet to appear in a game for Cleveland, but isn't without previous starting experience.
The 25-year-old started eight games over two seasons for the New England Patriots, including the final six games last season. He appeared in 14 total games during the 2022-23 seasons in New England, completing 192 of 304 passes (63.2%) for 2,053 yards with 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 78.5 passer rating.
"Yeah, obviously taking the scout reps versus the No. 1 defense, I think that's a big thing," Zappe said Wednesday. "I'm going against Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, Denzel (Ward), MJ (Emerson), the safeties we have, the linebackers we got, I'm going against those guys every day on the scout side. So obviously the coaches have liked what they’ve seen the last few weeks, so just excited for this opportunity."
(This story has been updated with new information.)
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 @ceasterlingABJ