Bailey Zappe to start at quarterback in Week 18 vs. Ravens

The Browns will start their fourth quarterback this season in Week 18, as Bailey Zappe earned the start for the season finale against the Ravens.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski used the week of practices and meetings to come to a determination at quarterback. Dorian Thompson-Robinson will serve as the backup quarterback, as QB Jameis Winston was officially listed as the emergency quarterback.

“There’s a limited number of reps to get guys ready, and that’s just the nature of the beast,” Stefanski said on Jan. 3. “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.”

Zappe will see his first game action since Week 18 of the 2023 season when he was in his second season with the Patriots. In 14 career games — eight of which he’s started — Zappe has completed 192 of 304 passing attempts for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdown passes. He’s also thrown 12 interceptions and been sacked 31 times.

Zappe first joined the Browns in Week 8 when Cleveland signed him off the Chiefs practice squad. While his time with the Browns has been spent running the scout team offense, he’s used the last 10 weeks to learn the Browns’ system and offensive scheme.

“He’s prepared like he’s been a starter. So, he does a good job with his preparation,” offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said. “He’s got good experience, a strong arm, he’s smart. He’s put himself in position for the potential of the opportunity right there. We’ve got faith in that room. We just have to go out and play at a high level and protect the football and do the right things.”