Cleveland Browns to sign top AAF quarterback Garrett Gilbert

Garrett Gilbert was one of the brighter stars in the AAF and now the former Orlando Apollos quarterback will join the Cleveland Browns

Not too long ago, fans were anxiously awaiting the debut of the Alliance of American Football which offered up a potential solution to those of us who struggle to make it through the spring without football. Unfortunately, that league has already folded which left many players without work.

This doesn’t mean there won’t be some happy endings for a few of the players who took their talents to the AAF. Now free from all contractual obligations, AAF players are allowed to sign with NFL teams — and the Cleveland Browns have already landed one player from the short-lived league.

Garrett Gilbert, who was considered the best quarterback in the AAF, is reportedly signing a deal with the Browns. Mary Kay Cabot broke the news on Friday via Twitter.

Gilbert was the starting quarterback for the Orlando Apollos and led them to a record of 7-1. He completed 60.6 percent of his passes while amassing 2,152 yards with a 13-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He was recently mentioned by DPD’s Dan Justik as a player the Browns should target out of the AAF.

The 27-year old Gilbert does have some NFL experience under his belt. He played college ball at Texas and then SMU and was selected in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. He never played for them and then was a bit of a journeyman, making stops with the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, and Oakland Raiders.

He never saw any action in the regular season with those clubs but did in 2018 with the Carolina Panthers. He played in Week 17 after Kyle Allen was injured — who was starting for an injured Cam Newton. Gilbert completed 2-of-3 passes for 40 yards.

As of now, Gilbert looks to be competing with Drew Stanton for the No. 2 job behind starter Baker Mayfield.