2023 NFL quarterback analysis: Cleveland Browns
Current starter: Deshaun Watson | Current backups: Jacoby Brissett, Kellen Mond
State of the position: The Browns went all-in on Watson for 2022, sending three first-round picks to the Texans and giving him a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract.
But Watson underwhelmed after returning from his 11-game suspension for violating the league personal conduct policy. (He also was fined $5 million.) He threw for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions in six games as the Browns finished 7-10.
His best game came in Week 17 win over Washington (three touchdowns, no interceptions).
Brissett went 4-7 as a starter and threw for 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. A pending free agent, he bonded with teammates, who loved his presence in the locker room.
In August, Cleveland claimed Mond off waivers from the Vikings, but he didn't play a snap.
Key stat: Watson was sacked 20 times in his six games as starter; Brissett was sacked 24 times in the first 11.
2023 QB forecast: The Browns must hope the polarizing Watson knocks off the rust because he is signed through 2026.
If he flops, the trade with the Texans will rank as one of the worst of all time. The Browns didn't give Watson a huge contract to complete only 58.2 percent of his passes, as he did in 2022.
After a solid 2022, Brissett should have suitors, perhaps Tampa Bay if Tom Brady leaves or retires.
Mond, the former third-round pick who flopped in Minnesota, is signed through 2024.
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