CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns’ heart-wrenching 17-16 loss to Cincinnati in their season opener has ignited serious concerns about rookie kicker Andre Szmyt’s future in Cleveland — and according to veteran beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot, the situation demands immediate action.

In the latest episode of Orange and Brown Talk, Cabot didn’t sugarcoat her assessment of Szmyt’s performance, which included missing an extra point and field goal in a game decided by a single point.

“If you’re missing an extra point (and another field goal), then I think you’re on very, very shaky ground,” Cabot told podcast host Dan Labbe. “If you had missed a 52-yarder, that’s a different story. But to miss a 36 and a 33, that’s uncalled for. They can’t have that.”

While head coach Kevin Stefanski has publicly supported the rookie kicker, Cabot expressed skepticism about whether the team truly plans to stick with Szmyt heading into Week 2. The missed kicks didn’t just cost the Browns points on the scoreboard — they created a psychological impact that rippled through the entire team.

“It’s just such a demoralizing way to lose when you feel like you can’t trust your kicker,” Labbe observed, comparing the situation to “when a closer starts blowing saves in baseball.”

Cabot noted that the missed extra point appeared to rattle the offense, pointing out that Jerry Jeudy had a ball go off his hands on the very next drive, followed by back-to-back drops by Harold Fannin Jr. and Jeudy on the subsequent possession.

“They didn’t react well to that adversity in the game,” she explained. “It kind of took the wind out of their sails a little bit.”

The consequences of an unreliable kicker extend beyond just missed points. Cabot highlighted how opposing teams will adjust their strategies knowing the Browns may be hesitant to attempt field goals. This was evident when Bengals coach Zac Taylor opted to punt in a situation where he might normally fear giving the Browns good field position — because he knew Cleveland’s kicking game was compromised.

What makes the situation particularly frustrating is that the Browns believed they had solved their kicking woes. “They were really, really confident with Andre heading into the season,” Cabot said. “They felt really good about him. They’ve been watching him all the way back when the offseason started.”

Rather than giving Szmyt another opportunity, Cabot offered a direct solution: “I think they should bring someone else in. I don’t even think right now I would give him another game. I think I would put him on the practice squad, have him kick some more, get him down to the stadium, and then when he’s on really solid footing again, then trot him back out there.”

The Browns face a critical decision with limited time to resolve their kicking situation before facing the Ravens in Baltimore — a game where every point will likely matter against one of the AFC’s top contenders.

BETTING: The over/under for Sunday’s Browns versus Ravens game is currently set at 45.5 points on FanDuel. Our complete FanDuel Sportsbook review provides a guide on how to register and navigate their site. For all of the best Browns Week 2 Odds, be sure to check out our expert insights.

Want to hear more about the Browns’ kicking crisis and how it might impact their upcoming matchup with Baltimore? Listen to the full episode of Orange and Brown Talk for Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe’s complete breakdown of the team’s Week 1 performance and what changes might be coming.

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