Browns: 5 quarterbacks to target for Deshaun Watson suspension

The Cleveland Browns have a couple of quarterbacks on the roster to back up Deshaun Watson if he can’t play but should the team keep looking?

The Cleveland Browns are still waiting to hear about their new quarterback Deshaun Watson and if and when he would be suspended and miss games this upcoming 2022 season for his actions off the football field in the past.

While they have brought in Jacoby Brissett and Joshua Dobbs, they may be looking to find another starter and backup quarterback if Watson is suspended for any length of time.

There are several veteran quarterbacks still available in trade or free agency. Let’s look at a list of five they could make their way to Cleveland.

Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers (trade)

Jimmy Garoppolo is due $25 million in the last year of his current contract. The Browns have over $48 million available in cap space so they could make the big trade.

The fact they already made a bigger trade for Watson would make this possible move almost impossible. But at this point, I’m not putting anything past this front office. They’ve surprised us already this off-season. What’s one more big transaction.

Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers (trade)

Cleveland traded Baker Mayfield to Carolina recently and it appears the Panthers were trying to add Sam Darnold in the trade, but the Browns didn’t want him.

Now, with Watson on the verge of a lengthy suspension, would the team think any differently about this possibility? That’s highly unlikely. Darnold was considered the No.1 selection by many teams back in 2018 but the Browns surprised most by taking Mayfield instead.

I still don’t see this as a realistic option. If the team had any interest in Darnold they would have taken him in the trade for Mayfield.

Cam Newton – Free agent

Cam Newton had gone back to the Carolina Panthers a year ago as a free agent quarterback but now that Mayfield has been traded to the Panthers, Newton will be going to a new team. He was paid around $6 million by Carolina but he won’t be getting that from a new team. He’d be an inexpensive pick-up by the Browns and he’s a veteran who’s played in many big games over his career.

Gardner Minshew, Philadelphia Eagles (trade)

Gardner Minshew has been the backup in Philly behind Jalen Hurts. Minshew’s contract this season is very minimal at around $2 million. He was once the starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars during his first two seasons in the NFL. He has a career 8-14 record. More impressive is his 37 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in that time.

Mike Glennon- Free agent

Mike Glennon has moved around a lot in backup roles in the NFL. He most recently played on the New York Giants team. He originally played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers between 2013 and 2015. He has a career 6-25 record. Not the glowing statistics you’re looking for in a quarterback, but he’d be another inexpensive player and could help bridge a gap if Watson is not available to play.