The Pittsburgh Steelers have done next to nothing to warrant their spot at the top of the AFC North. The injuries derailing Cincinnati and Baltimore have played to Pittsburgh’s benefit, leaving the division in their hands.
Then, there are the Cleveland Browns. While Pittsburgh has found new opportunities during its off week, the Browns have already punted on the 2025 season.
The 1-4 Browns announced on Tuesday that they have traded quarterback Joe Flacco, who started the first four games of the season, to the Bengals in a rare interdivision move, leaving the team with two rookies and an unavailable Deshaun Watson in the quarterback room.
The Cleveland Browns' QB room sets up a disaster scenario for the Pittsburgh Steelers' rival
Far be it from the Browns to realise early in a season that it’s just not going to be their year. At least the humans with the dreaded task of rooting for that team in Ohio are used to that and have one upset win to cling to.
Despite the talent on Cleveland’s defense, the ceiling for Cleveland this season was always as low as it usually is. This summer, the quarterback room included Flacco, the presumed starter, Kenny Pickett, the presumed backup plan, Dillon Gabriel, the current starter who was always first in line once the obvious was made obvious, Shadeur Sanders, who will get his shot before the season is done, and Watson, who, justifiably, nobody wants to acknowledge is still under contract.
Pickett was the first to go, signalling trust in the rookies. But now Flacco is going to Cincy to help salvage a lost season for the Bengals, while the Browns seem destined for one of their most grizzly seasons in some time.
The Browns know what this season is for them. It’s a shot to test two rookies out and see who can take command of the destitute franchise and bring a sense of balance to the roster. The only shot they had of being a playoff contender was Flacco keeping things afloat, or one of those rookies taking command early. Neither has happened, and now the Browns face the remainder of their season clinging to the hopes of two late-round rookies to save them.
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They already threw Gabriel into the fire. His first start came in London against Brian Flores’ complex, blitz-happy defense. He played well in the loss, given the circumstances, leaning on his tight ends for support in the passing game. Now he gets Pittsburgh’s defense, which found its turnover mojo ahead of the BYE Week.
Gabriel gets some reprieve if he can survive his date with the Steelers this week. The Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Las Vegas Raiders are all on the schedule before Thanksgiving. If he struggles to pick up a couple of wins there, then Pittsburgh can count on seeing Sanders under center in Week 17 in Cleveland.
But even still, two dates with the Steelers, another dance with Baltimore, and contests against the Patriots, 49ers, and Bills will likely be the catalyst for another losing season for the AFC North’s resident basement dwellers.