Browns giving rookie QB the start vs. Eagles

The Browns are already nearing their third preseason game as they take on the Eagles Thursday night. But this time, the team will have a new quarterback starting the game.

According to reports, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland's fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, will get the start over QB Kellen Mond in Philadelphia. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs will not play.

There is no argument that Deshaun Watson isn't the Browns' QB1, but it seems the team may have a quarterback controversy brewing in the battle to be his backup, and Thompson-Robinson has made a strong case for himself thus far.

The rookie quarterback has completed 17-of-21 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns while adding 47 rushing yards in the Browns' first two preseason games.

Thompson-Robinson is listed as Cleveland's fourth-string quarterback behind Dobbs, Mond, and of course, Watson. But his first start may be a sign of the depth chart beginning to change in his favor.

With the start will come much more difficult competition, especially against the defending NFC champion Eagles. But if the 23-year-old continues playing the way he has, he may just be the Browns' backup quarterback by the start of the 2023 season.

That would make Thompson-Robinson quite the steal as there were nine quarterbacks taken before him in the draft. 

Cleveland has struggled for years to find a quarterback to lead them, whiffing on several first-rounders. However, after trading a king's ransom for Watson last offseason and drafting Thompson-Robinson in this year's draft, the Browns seem to be in the best shape at the position in a long time.

Of course, it's still early, but there is certainly reason for optimism in Cleveland.