Brissett next in line if Watson gets suspension
BEREA — New Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett insists he isn’t on the edge of his seat awaiting word from the NFL on a potential suspension for Deshaun Watson.
A day after the Browns traded for Watson on March 18 despite the 22 lawsuits he faces from women accusing him of sexual misconduct or sexual assault, the team reached an agreement with Brissett on a one-year, $4.65 million contract.
“It presented a good opportunity,” Brissett said. “That’s really what it was.”
Watson will likely be suspended by the NFL under its personal conduct policy. Whether Watson misses eight, six, four or another amount of games, Brissett said it’s not his place to make predictions about discipline.
“I wouldn’t be in the position that I am in today if I worried about things like that,” Brissett said. “I’ve always prepared myself like a starter. I carry myself like a starter because when those opportunities present themselves, I want to show that I am that.”
The next starting quarterback of the Browns will be the franchise’s 33rd since its rebirth in 1999. It would be Brissett in the event Watson were suspended to begin next season.
Brissett is 14-23 as an NFL starter, including 2-3 last season with the Miami Dolphins. In 60 career games, he has completed 727 of 1,208 passes (60.2%) for 7,742 yards and 36 touchdowns with 17 interceptions for a rating of 83. He has added 653 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
“Whatever the circumstance is you’re always one play away,” Brissett said. “So when those opportunities present themselves, I make sure I go in to prove myself right.”
A No. 2 quarterback is usually summoned because of an injury to the starter or poor performance. A suspension is rarely a factor, but it is expected to become one for the Browns.
Was Watson’s legal situation a reason Brissett signed with Cleveland?
“When I speak about opportunities,” Brissett said, “obviously getting to play in the National Football League is a very unique opportunity that I don’t take
lightly.
“I can’t predict whatever the case may be with the outside the field stuff, but what I know is true is that you’re always one play away.”
Brissett, 29, agreed his skill set is akin in some ways to that of Watson, a threetime Pro Bowl selection whom the Houston Texans drafted 12th overall in 2017.
“I think we do a lot of the same things,” Brissett said. “Obviously, he’s way faster than me. I’m not afraid to say that. But I think this offense suits us well in that room, and it sounds like and it looks like, obviously from watching film and stuff like that, that the coaches tried to put us in the best position possible and play to the strengths of whoever is playing.”
So what will the offense look like as the Browns transition from a quarterback room of Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum and Nick Mullens to Watson, Brissett and Josh Dobbs?
Last month at the NFL owners meetings, Kevin Stefanski didn’t rule out wholesale changes to the Gary Kubiakinspired system he ran the past two seasons as coach of the Browns.
With Watson, Brissett and Dobbs, Stefanski said the Browns have size — none of them is shorter than 6 feet 2 — and mobility at the game’s most vital position.
“We definitely have to adapt to our players, and certainly the quarterback is so important in what we do, so we will make we that we do what Deshaun does best and what the quarterback room does best,” Stefanski said.