In signing quarterback Joe Flacco to the practice squad, the Browns have made it very clear that he is not here to unseat rookie starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

OK. That’s all well and good.

Now, let me make something very clear: if DTR struggles over a period of time and it’s obvious that he’s not going to come out if it anytime soon, to the point that it’s holding the team back, and the Browns don’t make the change to Flacco, then they’re not only crazy, but they will also be doing a disservice to the team, those two players and, most importantly, the fans, the best in all of pro sports.

This has already been a special season, and the window of opportunity is wide open for so much more good stuff to happen. With a 7-3 record and seven games to play, they are in second place in the AFC North, a half-game behind the 8-3 Baltimore Ravens. They currently are in the No. 1 wild-card spot in the conference.

Going all out to maximize their chances obviously takes precedence over everything else, including hurting someone’s feelings or disrupting “the process,” wherever the heck that is. That that fact has to be brought up is troubling. If it comes to that, Browns execs, do the right thing and make the only real choice out there by inserting Flacco, a guy with incredible street cred and a lot of big-game experience.

It was 35 years ago, in 1988, that the Browns made the playoffs because of the late-season play of “retired” veteran quarterback Don Strock, whom they had signed off a golf course.

Those Browns had the fervent desire to do anything — within the rules, of course — to win.

Do the current Browns have that same determination, drive and mindset?

We may find out.

As Herm Edwards so famously said, “You play to win the game.”

Indeed. Nothing else matters.

Steve King