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    Just in:The Browns are close to sign one of these 2 veteran QBs to back up Deshaun Watson

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    Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson gives some words to Cleveland Browns quarterback PJ Walker during a time out in the second half, October 29, 2023, at Lumen Field.

    The Browns should sign one of these 2 veteran QBs to back up Deshaun Watson, or someone like them: Mary Kay Cabot

    CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns are still reeling from their 45-14 beatdown by the Texans in the wild card round, and in the process of searching for a new offensive coordinator to replace Alex Van Pelt, and other new assistants.

    Before the next few weeks are over, they’ll also add a new running backs coach, a new tight ends coach, possibly a new defensive line coach, and maybe a new play-caller for Deshaun Watson if Kevin Stefanski hands the chore over to his new coordinator.

    Once the new staff is set, the Browns will turn their attention to upgrading their talent in pursuit of that elusive Super Bowl trophy.

    This is the first in a series of things the Browns should do this offseason:

    1. Acquire a good veteran backup QB such as Jacoby Brissett or Joe Flacco

    The Browns learned the hard way this season that it’s too risky to have an inexperienced backup quarterback when the stakes are so high. With Watson coming off surgery to repair the fractured glenoid bone in his right throwing shoulder, it’s more important than even last season to have a winning backup in the house.

    The Browns will continue to develop 2023 fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but they must be able to keep winning in the event Watson gets hurt again. Thompson-Robinson (1-2) made a significant contribution to the playoff run during the 13-10 victory over the Steelers in Cleveland. The Browns’ other young backup, P.J. Walker, went 1-1 and also pulled out the 39-38 victory over the Colts after replacing an injured Watson in the first quarter. But the two backups combined for only two TD passes and nine interceptions en route to passer ratings of 51.2 for Thompson-Robinson and 52.2 for Walker.

    After Watson went down for the season with the shoulder injury, the Browns were lucky to find a former Super Bowl MVP in Flacco, a 16th-year pro, at home in New Jersey waiting for the phone to ring. Eager to get back in the game, Flacco kept himself in great shape and had fresh legs when he showed up. It was the perfect storm for him to come in and go 4-1, throw for 300 yards in a club-record four regular season games, and help the Browns clinch only their third playoff berth since 1999.

    It atoned for the Browns leaving themselves short at the position, like so many other teams did in 2023.
    Unfortunately for Flacco, he faltered in the wild card game like everyone else, throwing two pick sixes in the third quarter when he forced the issue to try to close the 24-14 gap. It broke open a 38-14 Texans lead from which the Browns couldn’t recover.

    But Flacco, who turned 39 on Tuesday, saved the Browns’ season, and they’d be open to bringing him back as the backup to Watson if he doesn’t find a chance to start elsewhere. Likewise, Flacco has made it clear he loves it here, and would be open to a return. He loves everything about the Browns and their fans, and was overwhelmed by how the community embraced him. His No. 1 choice, of course, would be to start or have a chance to do so, and that’s not happening here. But someone else might have seen something in Flacco that they didn’t in the first 10 weeks of the season when he was overlooked.

    From Week 13 on, he led the NFL with 323.2 passing yards per game, and tied for second with 13 TDs passes. He established an explosive downfield connection with Amari Cooper and David Njoku, hitting big plays of 43, 45, 51, 53 and 75 yards. He was so efficient and his passes so catchable, both Cooper and Njoku made the Pro Bowl with their late-season flurries.

    As for Flacco and Watson co-existing, they’d be just fine. They’re both professionals committed to winning and could handle any outside noise.
    The Browns might also have a chance to bring back Jacoby Brissett, 31, if he doesn’t get an opportunity to start elsewhere. Going 4-7 for the Browns during Watson’s suspension in 2022, Brissett backed up Sam Howell in Washington this season, and didn’t get a chance to start. He might be willing to come back again as Watson’s backup, and be ready to step in and win at a moment’s notice. He knows the system — although it will likely change with a new coordinator — and is loved by his coaches and teammates, including Watson.

    Like Flacco, Brissett brings invaluable leadership as well as winning ability. If they can’t land one of those two, they should find someone else in that category who can keep the playoff train rolling along in the absence of their QB1.

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