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

Head coach Kevin Stefanski used the week of training and meetings to decide on the quarterback. Dorian Thompson-Robinson will serve as the backup quarterback as QB Jameis Winston has officially been listed as the emergency quarterback.

“There are a limited number of reps to get guys ready, and that’s the nature of it,” Stefanski said Jan. 3. “I wanted to see the two guys in the first group and see how they operate and stuff.” The story or the nature of the backup quarterback game is that you have to be ready to go, even if you don’t know that you are starts, someone needs a shoelace I have to go You always have to be ready to deal with uncertainty. I know, like everyone else, I’m an exact plan, 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 started – Zappe has completed 192 of 304 pass attempts for 2,053 yards and 11 touchdown passes. He also threw 12 interceptions and was sacked 31 times.

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

“He prepared as if he were a regular player. So he does a good job of preparing,” offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said. “He has a lot of experience, a strong arm, he’s smart. He positioned himself right there for the potential of the opportunity. We have confidence in this space. We just have to go out there and play at a high level and protect the football and do the right things.”