The Cleveland Browns may not need Deshaun Watson to be a great player to succeed in 2024. In fact, they may not require Watson to be anything at all.
Over the last two years, two quarterbacks other than Watson have performed better for the franchise: Jacoby Brissett in 2022 and Joe Flacco in 2023. On Friday, February 23, Aaron Schatz of ESPN proposed a “bold move,” in which Cleveland signs one—iif not both—tto battle for the starting job with Watson this offseason.
In 2022, Brissett had a 62.0 QBR, while Watson had a 40.4 QBR. Then, last season, [Flacco] had 48.3 QBR, while Watson had 42.9 QBR.
The Browns need to add competition and a backup plan in case Watson continues to perform poorly in 2024.
Flacco has shown a desire to prolong his career, despite his age (39), and Browns supporters would welcome his return. Brissett’s 2022 numbers stand out in his career, but the Browns might as well sign him to a lesser contract and see if they can recreate the magic. Any of these solutions would at least prevent the Browns from wasting another solid defence due to Watson’s poor play.
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