In order for the Cleveland Browns to be successful in 2024, Deshaun Watson might not need to be excellent. Watson might not even be necessary for them to be anything.
Over the last two years, two quarterbacks who aren’t named Watson have each had a better stint with the team: Joe Flacco in 2023 and Jacoby Brissett in 2022. Aaron Schatz of ESPN made a “bold move” on Friday, February 23, suggesting that Cleveland contract one or both players to compete with Watson for the starting job this offseason.
Brissett had a 62.0 QBR in 2022 compared to Watson’s 40.4 QBR. The previous season, Watson had a QBR of 42.9, while Flacco had a QBR of 48.3.
In the event that Watson begins 2024 with poor football performance once more, the Browns will need to add competition and a fallback option.
Despite his advanced age (39), Flacco has stated that he wants to play on, and Browns supporters would welcome his return. Looking at Brissett’s career records, his 2022 numbers are impressive, but the Browns might as well sign him to a less expensive contract and see if they can recreate the magic. At the very least, any of these solutions would shield the Browns from harm and prevent them from squandering another excellent defence via poor play.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski quickly named Watson the team’s starter going into the summer, despite Flacco’s heroics in the late season, when he averaged well over 300 passing yards per game and led the team to a 4-1 record and the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs.
Stefanski stated of Watson on January 14 after the Browns’ Super Wildcard Weekend loss to the Houston Texans, “He’s doing great in his rehab.” “I’m sure he’ll be prepared to go.”
In November 2023, Watson had surgery to fix his throwing shoulder, which ended the season. This week, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com claimed that the quarterback is about to reach a significant recovery milestone.
“A league source told Cleveland.com that Watson will start throwing soon.”
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