Browns first-round rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden was so bad in his debut on Sunday that coach Pat Shurmur has already been asked about benching Weeden in favor of Colt McCoy.
But Shurmur insists that’s not going to happen. Asked what he would say to Cleveland fans who want McCoy back on the field, Shurmur dismissed the idea and said that fans should understand there’s no question the coaches are behind Weeden.
“Clamoring for Colt? Brandon Weeden is our starter and he’s going to get better, that’s what I’m going to tell them,” Shurmur said.
Benching a quarterback after one game would be an overreaction, but it is alarming that Weeden played so badly. Going 12-for-35 for 118 yards with no touchdowns, four interceptions and two fumbles goes beyond just playing like a rookie. That’s playing like a guy who doesn’t belong on an NFL field. Weeden’s passer rating on Sunday was 5.1. McCoy has never had a passer rating that low in any game in his career.
But no matter how bad Weeden looked on Sunday, Shurmur has made his decision, and his decision is that Weeden will start. Considering that Shurmur’s job could be riding on that decision, he’d better hope he chose right.