Head coach Kevin Stefanski said there was a chance both Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson would play in Week 18
QB Bailey Zappe doesn't know whether he will play in Week 18 against the Ravens but is excited at the prospect of seeing action for the first time as a member of the Browns.
On Dec. 31, head coach Kevin Stefanski said he had not decided whether Zappe or QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson would start in the Browns' final game of the 2024 season, adding that there was a chance both quarterbacks could see playing time.
"It's a great opportunity for me to go out there and play some football and get some film out there for people to watch," Zappe said. "Hopefully it's good film. But I'm excited for the opportunity."
If he plays in Week 18, Zappe will get his first game action since Week 18 of the 2023 season when the quarterback was in his second year with the Patriots. In 14 career games, eight of which he's started, Zappe has 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, completing 63 percent of his passes for 2,053 yards.
Zappe joined the Browns in Week 8 from the Chiefs practice squad. While he's spent most of his time in Cleveland running the scout team offense, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey has been impressed with Zappe's progress as he learns the Browns' offense.
"He's prepared like he's been a starter. So, he does a good job with his preparation," 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. And if (Zappe's) out there, we expect him to do that."
During his time with the Browns, Zappe has had the opportunity to go against some of the league's top defensive players. He credited his experience practicing against DE Myles Garrett and CB Denzel Ward for sharpening his skills as a quarterback.
This week, Zappe has had the opportunity to work with the Browns' top pass catchers, including WR Jerry Jeudy, who has 1,166 receiving yards this season – the sixth-most in the NFL. Zappe hopes to quickly develop a rapport with the receivers he might have the opportunity to play with in Week 18.
"They're going to do a good job of moving (Jeudy) around and creating opportunities for him to get the ball," Zappe said. "And obviously we have guys like Elijah Moore and Blake Whiteheart, those guys are going to step up. Elijah has done a great job this year. So, I'm excited for all those guys to get their opportunity as well, and hopefully I can get them the ball."
While Zappe has the potential to play in Week 18, Thompson-Robinson is another option for the Browns at quarterback.
Thompson-Robinson has thrown six interceptions and zero touchdowns in six games this season, starting two games in Weeks 16 and 17. While he's struggled at times, Thompson-Robinson's determination to overcome the adversity he's faced has impressed Dorsey this season.
"Like any player, you're going to be disappointed if you don't perform up to the standard that you set for yourself. And you want that from a player, because you want that drive. You want him to feel like, 'Okay, I can be better than this,'" Dorsey said. "Because he's going to keep working to go get it. So, we're going to keep working with him and making sure that we're doing everything we can to put him in position to make sure he's growing as a player."
As he prepares for another potential opportunity to start or see playing time in Week 18, Thompson-Robinson is committed to putting his best foot forward following a disappointing showing in Weeks 16 and 17. Thompson-Robinson has worked after practice with his receivers, running extra plays in an attempt to improve their chemistry ahead of the Browns' final game of the season.
"You don't have time to sit and sob when it's the last game of the year," Thompson-Robinson. "So, I'm still sticking to the same process that's gotten me to this point and not trying to steer away from that just because of some outcomes."
Stefanski said that he would not make a decision on his starting quarterback until later in the week, and that playing both could give the Browns a chance to evaluate where each young quarterback has progressed in their short time in the NFL.
The Browns have one more practice on Thursday, Jan. 2 before they travel to Baltimore the next day for their game on Saturday, Jan. 4.
"Bailey has been a guy that got here, we haven't seen him in a game just yet. Dorian is a young player who's using all these reps to get better," Stefanski said. "So, there's a scenario where we (play both), but I want to make sure we get through the week before making a final determination."
