Cleveland Browns: 2022 Midseason awards highlight MVP and best rookie
By John Suchan
Biggest surprise player: Jacoby Brissett, QB
Coming into this season, the plan was to have Jacoby Brissett manage the Cleveland Browns offense while they waited for the return of Deshaun Watson. The Watson suspension was initially six games but that got a lot of attention for the small number of games. The NFL then appealed and the punishment changed to 11 games as a settlement.
Brissett now would be the quarterback for the majority of the season. The career backup wasn’t expected to make a lot of noise with his offensive skill set as he has a career 17-28 win/loss record which isn’t very good. Despite the negative backdrop, he’s managed to improve after these first eight games. He’s had his share of big mistakes, but he’s also put this team in a position to win on most Sundays.
He hasn’t been blowing people away with his numbers, but the statistics have nonetheless been steady and better than most would have expected. Thus, this award of being the biggest surprise is warranted.
Brissett probably had his worst game three weeks ago when he went 21 for 45 for 266 and threw two interceptions and fumbled twice as the Browns got beat by the New England Patriots 38-15.
Since that game, he’s come back and gone an efficient 39-49, with one touchdown on the ground and one rushing score. His level-headedness seems to be winning his teammates over as the season has unfolded. Though the team still has a losing record, one certainly gets the idea that Brissett and his offense will continue to get better. The quarterback has three more under behind center before Watson takes over.
One can imagine that we’re going to get the very most out of him. If he can help get two or three wins that would put his team in a good position as Watson begins his career in Cleveland.
