Dorian Thompson-Robinson handed the keys to Browns' offense, he has the stuff for it

When Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson broke down in tears, it was well deserved. 

He had quarterbacked the injury-riddled Browns to a Week 11 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. And he did so by putting together a drive that set up a game-winning field goal. The Monday following, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the Browns signing veteran quarterback Joe Flacco by doubling down on Thompson-Robinson being the starter. 

He gave the rookie the keys to Deshaun Watson's car. It's a move that not only makes sense but is well deserved. Thompson Robinson has the right stuff to be the quarterback to help Cleveland return to the playoffs for the first time since QB1 was Baker Mayfield. The proof that Thompson-Robinson has the right stuff came in his answer to the question of "was there any doubt" during his game-winning drive. 

"I mean, definitely not," Thompson-Robinson said. "I trusted my teammates. The biggest thing I was telling myself the whole game is just stay disciplined, and take it one play at a time. There are times in that game where if it was Week 4, I would have forced it and we had a tip pick another tip pick, or whatever it was. Like I said, it’s going to be night and day when I get out there. I’ve been working my tail off, and I’m just glad my teammates were there with me.”

Understanding an NFL game, regardless of the time and score, is played one play at a time shows a level of maturity that the rookie didn't have earlier in the season. 

Stefanski giving Thompson-Robinson the keys shows the coach has trust in him. With as good as the Browns' defense has played, all Cleveland needs is a quarterback who won't turn the ball over and keep the team level-headed late in games. 

Thompson-Robinson has the trust of his teammates. And his teammates appear to trust him. Stefanski understands that, and that is why, against the Denver Broncos in Week 12, it will be the rookie taking snaps under center.