No team in the NFL saw more turnover at the quarterback position than the Cleveland Browns last season.
Five different quarterbacks started games for Cleveland last season, after multiple shoulder injuries sidelined star quarterback Deshaun Watson for all but six games. In his extended absences a supporting cast of veteran P.J. Walker , rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson and eventually feel good story Joe Flacco all started under center. So did Jeff Driskel in what was a meaningless regular season finale.
With Watson now set to start throwing next month following shoulder surgery and continue progressing towards a return to the field next fall, the Browns have to decide what to do in the way of an insurance policy behind him.
While there should be no shortage of veteran backup options available in free agency, including Flacco, who has publicly said he'd be open to a return to Cleveland but also is expected to way his options on the open market. The Browns also continue to praise Thompson-Robinson who they hope can continue developing going into his second year in the pros.
Speaking at the NFL Combine on Wednesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski praised the fifth-round pick when asked about whether or not they'll look to add a veteran for the role.
"I think there's certainly value in experience of course," he said, "but we'll see how it all shakes out. I thought Dorian did a great job for us. I thought it got better as the season went on, as you'd expect in a young player. So I expect him to take a big jump in year one to two as well."
General manager Andrew Berry emphasized how much the team values the backup QB position last month. Through he and Stefanski's first four years at the helm, Cleveland has always invested multiple millions into a veteran QB-two. The presence of DTR may be enough to shift that thinking.
In his rookie season, Thompson-Roninson made eight appearances with three starts under center going 1-2 with a pivotal win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 12. The UCLA product completed just over 50% of his passes, threw for 440 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions.
The Browns ultimately may prioritize developing DTR over adding a seasoned vet. If Berry ultimately decides to go the latter route though, he'll have plenty of familiar faces to choose from, with former backups Jacoby Brissett and Josh Dobbs also available in free agency.
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