Joe Flacco shares his reaction to being benched

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco has lost his starting job four games into the season, and the veteran quarterback shared his reaction to the tough news on Wednesday.

The Browns have benched Flacco in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel for Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings. When asked about head coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision, Flacco told reporters “it is what it is.”

“I think the tougher thing is just going through what we’ve gone through the last four weeks, not being able to produce the way we’ve wanted to,” Flacco said. “When you’re in the moment and you’re having conversations with people, it is what it is. You look people in the eye and tell them how it is, and that’s what it is.”

Flacco was also asked if he saw the change coming.

“I don’t think I foresaw it. Listen, I said it on Sunday, anytime you’re in this league, everybody’s always getting evaluated. The job of a quarterback is to help you win football games,” Flacco said. “I don’t know if I saw it coming, but me and Kevin have good conversations. It wasn’t like it was anything super long or drawn out like that, but it got to that point and I had a good conversation with him about it and it is what it is.”