While the Cleveland Browns have remained tightlipped regarding who will start at quarterback in their regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, we now have our answer.
According to the Associated Press’ Tom Withers, Bailey Zappe will get his first start of the season for the Browns in the team’s Week 18 matchup.
Zappe will be the fourth quarterback to start for Cleveland this season, following Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has said throughout the week that it’s likely both Zappe and Thompson-Robinson — who has started the Browns’ last two games — would receive playing time vs. Baltimore.
“There’s a limited number of reps to get guys ready, and that’s just the nature of the beast,” Stefanski said of the Browns’ preparation for Saturday. “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.”
AP source says Bailey Zappe will start at quarterback for the Browns on Saturday. He’ll be No. 40 since 1999.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) January 2, 2025
Originally selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Zappe spent the first two seasons of his career with the franchise, appearing in 14 games while making eight starts. After being released by the Patriots ahead of the 2024 season, he spent time on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad before being signed to the Browns’ active roster after Watson suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in October.
Despite spending the bulk of the 2024 season in Cleveland, Zappe has yet to appear in a regular-season game for the Browns, who enter Week 18 with a 3-13 record. In his two seasons in New England, the former Western Kentucky star completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Kickoff between the Browns and Ravens in Baltimore is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
