Szmyt’s Week 2 fate hinges on trust over options. After Week 1’s misses, the Browns did not audition other kickers, signaling faith in the rookie. Stefanski publicly backed Szmyt as the one Cleveland should lean on in crunch moments, and the Hopkins era appears over as Cleveland kept Szmyt for at least another week.

With limited, viable replacements and no immediate tryouts, fantasy managers must weigh Szmyt’s volatility in a division showdown with Baltimore. The college pedigree (Lou Groza Award) and preseason accuracy offer some reassurance, but Week 2 will test whether Cleveland’s gamble pays off.