The Cleveland Browns entered their Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals with Dorian Thompson-Robinson as their starting quarterback. Looking ahead to Week 17 against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Kevin Stefanski plans to stick with Thompson-Robinson, provided he’s healthy, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Thompson-Robinson sustained a minor calf injury in the first quarter against the Bengals but managed to play through it. Despite being named the likely starter, his performance left much to be desired. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 157 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. His longest throw was a 29-yard completion to tight end David Njoku, with no other passes exceeding 20 yards. Overall, the Browns struggled offensively and failed to gain momentum against Cincinnati.
With a 1-3 record as an NFL starter, Thompson-Robinson’s stats suggest he may not be a long-term solution for Cleveland. Entering Week 16, he had only 100 passing yards and three interceptions for the season. The 157 yards against the Bengals marked the second-highest total of his career, but the Browns were far from competitive in the game.
The final two games of the season provide an opportunity for the Browns to further assess Thompson-Robinson’s potential. If he can show improvement, he might return as a backup in 2025. Cleveland also faces broader questions about their quarterback position, especially given Deshaun Watson’s health and performance concerns. While Thompson-Robinson isn’t seen as a threat to Watson’s starting job, strong performances could keep him in the mix.
With little left to play for besides pride, Cleveland is hoping for better results. The offense looked ineffective against the Bengals, but Stefanski remains optimistic that Thompson-Robinson can lead a productive unit. The Week 17 matchup against the Dolphins will be another chance for the young quarterback to prove himself.
