Browns Third QB Job Gets Some Clarity Following Preseason Loss To Vikings

Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley will continue their battle for the job in final week of training camp

Aug 17, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports / Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 of the preseason was the battle of the backups between the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings.

That meant Browns QBs Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley split reps between the first and second halves. In a 27-12 loss to Minnesota neither signal caller looked particularly exceptional, but the battle for the No. 3 quarterback spot gained at least some clarity.

The first half belonged to Thompson-Robinson who promptly led the Browns on an eight-play 69-yard drive for a touchdown on Cleveland's first possession of the game. The 2023 fifth-round pick completed three of his four passes for 40 yards on the penalty aided drive, capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by D'Onta Foreman.

It was a refreshing start to the game given the slog that was the Browns first preseason game – a 23-10 loss to the Packers. It was also a statement from Thompson-Robinson who picked up where he left off in the Browns preseason opener that saw him finish 14-of-18, 134 yards.

Unfortunately, Cleveland's offense was stuck in neutral for its next four series with DTR at the helm. Things started clicking again with under two minutes to play before the half. The second-year QB was orchestrating a beautiful two-minute offense, covering 60 yards on six plays. Suddenly it ended with a thud after a pass intended for rookie wideout Jamari Thrash deflected off his hands and into the waiting arms of safety Lewis Cine.

Lewis Cine gets his hands on the broken up pass!

📺: @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/dvyrfLVimE

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 17, 2024

It wasn't the best ball by DTR, who took blame for the error afterwards.

"Without the practice reps it's kind of hard to get on that same timing," the 24-year-old explained. "But I gotta put it in front of him regardless and give him a chance at the play. ... It was definitely a bad ball."

Despite the pick, he finished 11-of-14 for 110 yards and moved the ball well in moments. How his teammates, like Thrash in particularly, feed off him is notable.

Then came Tyler Huntley, who took over immediately out of halftime. His first series was off to a solid start as he quickly moved the offense from the Browns 35 down into the red zone in six plays. Then came an ill-advised interception on a pass Huntley over tight end Treyton Welch. Vikings safety Dwight McGlothern wound up on the receiving end of the throw and after securing the pick brought it all the way back to the Browns eight yard line.

It was a disastrous end to a promising drive.

.@nudiemcglothern takes it away!

📺: @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/2mZGBcMhKR

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 17, 2024

Following a Vikings touchdown, Huntley moved passed his turnover, responding with a 13-play 55-yard drive to provide an answering field goal. His final four series after that netted just 57 total yards, three of them ended in punts, and the final drive ended in his second interception of the game. There were moments for Huntley, but nothing overly impressive. He completing 14-of-20 passes for 135 yards and the two picks.

The bigger indictment on Huntley, however, was just how much more in rhythm the offense looked when Thompson-Robinson was under center than the 26-year-old. In back-to-back weeks that's been the case.

While neither QB seemed to truly separate themself from the other in terms of taking the No. 3 quarterback job, as the battle enters it's final phase next week, it's Thompson-Robinson who seems to retain his edge in the open competition.

Two more training camp practices await, before the team's preseason finale against the Seahawks next Saturday. That's a game that will see Deshaun Watson play for the first time this preseason. Veteran backup Jameis Winston will likely follow him, which means less opportunity both DTR and Huntley to make one last play at for QB-three.

There's also the question of what happens to Huntley – a proven backup option in this league – if the job truly belongs to Thompson-Robinson. After losing rookie QB J.J. McCarthy this week, perhaps the Vikings could save a seat on their team plane and send Andrew Berry back to Berea with a day three pick.