4 first-year Cleveland Browns who will be gone in 2023
By Greg Newland
Cleveland Browns one and done No. 2: Jacoby Brissett
One of the more surprising moves last offseason was when the Cleveland Browns cut Case Keenum and brought in Jacoby Brissett. Keenum was a Kevin Stefanski disciple and had a ton of success with him while they were in Minnesota together.
It turns out that Berry and Stefanski were right. There is no doubt that Brissett is a backup journeyman in the NFL, but he played extremely well during his time in Cleveland. I would argue that in some of those close games at the beginning of the year that they lost, he was the only reason they ever had a chance to win.
I don’t see Brissett ever being an elite NFL starter, but he played well enough that he is going to get a nice contract from a team that has a rookie quarterback and needs a mentor. The 49ers with Trey Lance or even the Jets with Zach Wilson makes a ton of sense as well. And, if those guys get hurt (which seems to happen a lot), Brissett gives you a chance to win any game he starts.
It was always going to be a one-and-done with Brissett in Cleveland, but after he played so well, it will be sad to see him go. I don’t think anyone in their right mind would say they want to see Brissett start over Watson, but he earned the respect of all Browns fans.