The Cleveland Browns didn’t wait long to pull the plug on the Bailey Zappe experiment.

On Saturday, Zappe received the starting nod for the Browns’ AFC North clash against the Baltimore Ravens. The 25-year-old was originally snatched off the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad last October following the loss of quarterback Deshaun Watson, who suffered a season-ending Achilles tear against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7.

Upon stepping onto the field for the opening offensive drive of the game, Zappe became the 40th quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999 – marking an NFL record. He previously made eight career starts across the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, completing 192-of-304 passes for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions during that span.

Unfortunately for Zappe, his first start for the Browns couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start. With just under nine minutes remaining in the first quarter, the journeyman signal-caller dropped back and attempted to connect with wide receiver Elijah Moore on a flat. His ill-advised throw was swiftly intercepted by cornerback Nate Wiggins, who sped 26 yards into the endzone for a pick-six.

On the Browns ensuing offensive drive, Zappe once again failed to find much of any success. After a series of runs set up a pivotal fourth-and-one, his deep pass intended for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy fell harmlessly to the turf – thereby resulting in a turnover on downs.

With less than three minutes left in the opening quarter, Zappe was replaced under center by Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Yet the former Patriot returned to the field in the second quarter to help orchestrate a nine-play, 55-yard scoring drive that ended in a field goal.

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Bailey Zappe was momentarily benched after throwing a pick-six in the first quarter

Bailey Zappe was momentarily benched after throwing a pick-six in the first quarter 

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As both teams trotted off to their respective locker rooms at half, Zappe finished the first two quarters completing 5-of-11 passes for 55 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Thompson-Robinson, meanwhile, completed 2-of-3 passes for 13 yards.

The Browns’ revolving door at quarterback should come as no surprise, considering head coach Kevin Stefanski conceded earlier in the week that he’d play multiple signal-callers against the Ravens.

Addressing the state of the Browns’ quarterback room, Stefanski told reporters on Thursday: “Ultimately, Bailey has been a guy that got here, and we haven’t seen him in a game just yet. Dorian is a young player who’s using all these reps to get better.

“So, there’s a scenario where we [play both], but I want to make sure we get through the week before making the final determination.”

Cleveland’s roster additionally features Jameis Winston, who started in seven games for the Browns this season. But the 30-year-old was listed as the inactive third quarterback for Saturday’s contest while nursing a right shoulder injury that caused him to be a limited practice participant Tuesday through Thursday.