Cleveland Browns fans have seen about all they need to see of backup P.J. Walker, as the time has come for an upgrade in the quarterback room.
The Browns appear to be in serious need of another signal-caller following the demotion of rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the continued injury concerns of starter Deshaun Watson. Jacoby Brissett started 11 games for Cleveland in Watson’s absence in 2022 and has yet to see the field this year after leaving to compete for the Washington Commanders‘ starting job during the offseason.
Cleveland has invested so heavily in Watson that as long as he is hovering around the starting job, it doesn’t make sense to add a bonafide and expensive starter like Kirk Cousins. However, the Browns need a better insurance policy than Walker behind Watson, who has sat essentially as much as he has played in 2023.
Brissett can be that player. He already knows the offense and is familiar with most of the personnel after earning a 4-7 record under center in Cleveland last year.
Jacoby Brissett Should Be Available to Browns via Trade
The Commanders aren’t likely to give away Brissett on the cheap, as they need a backup QB behind Sam Howell as well. However, if Cleveland is willing to come to the table with a Day-3 draft pick ahead of the NFL’s October 31 trade deadline, that might be enough to get a deal done.
Cleveland netted a 2024 fifth-round pick by trading quarterback Josh Dobbs to the Arizona Cardinals ahead of the regular season. The Browns could turn that asset around and offer it to the Commanders for Brissett, who have clearly decided that Howell is their QB of the future.
Brissett completed 64% of his passes for Cleveland last season, amassing 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns and 6 interceptions across 11 starts and 16 games played.
