Cleveland Isn’t Done With the Quarterback Market
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
After the initial 53-man roster was officially announced on Tuesday, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that they “had a plan” at quarterback, implying that they won’t rest on their laurels with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson backing up Deshaun Watson with Kellen Mond on the practice squad.
“I think we’re definitely going to bring in another quarterback soon,” he said. “But we will kind of let you guys know what’s the plan moving forward. I think it’ll be interesting around the league what teams decide to keep three on the active, which teams decide to keep some guys on the practice squad.”
Kevin Stefanski talking about Deshaun Watson not being at practice today (illness) and adding a No. 3 quarterback to the roster pic.twitter.com/TrbYTwnf6m
— Leah Doherty (@LeahDohertyTV) August 29, 2023
Unfortunately the league-wide cuts didn’t create a lot of options at the position, and the Browns, like every other NFL team, didn’t put in a waiver claim on a quarterback.
Because the third quarterback no longer takes a slot on gameday, teams have an incentive to keep one on their active roster rather than the practice squad; the rule prevents practice squad activations from being eligible for this benefit.
That means fewer options for teams like Cleveland, who would rather not rely on a rookie, regardless of how stellar his preseason was, to be the primary backup to Watson.
But just because they opted not to plumb waivers doesn’t mean that they need to avoid the quarterback market entirely. A number of players on practice squads around the league could be upgrades over Mond, whose preseason was worrisome at best and alarming at worst.
The Veterans
Veterans who might best be able to play in case of emergency include Will Grier, Nate Sudfeld, Colt McCoy, Josh Johnson, Trevor Siemian, and Nathan Peterman. Of that group, Siemian might make the most sense – he has experience in the type of system Stefanski runs, has 30 starts to his name, and has performed moderately successfully in regular season play. He won’t light the world on fire, but he can keep an offense on track.
Of the low-ceiling options, Peterman might be the most alarming, but his knowledge of the game has kept him around the league for some time. While he might not be the best player to have come in because of injury, he’s a fine quarterback to have on the sideline and help develop other players.
The truth is any of the options would seem like a reliable upgrade over Mond who has done nothing in his short time in the league to prove any reliability.
Youngsters
If they don’t want a veteran, they could go for an exciting young player to replace Mond on the practice squad and compete with Thompson-Robinson long-term.
Amidst the long list of extreme long-shot names – like Chris Oladokun, Nathan Rourke, Holton Ahlers, and Chase Garbers — there may be a couple gems. Adrian Martinez was hampered by his supporting cast in limited preseason play for the Detroit Lions but looked good. Tommy DeVito nearly made the roster for the Giants despite Tyrod Taylor’s presence. Both were just cut by their teams could and provide strong competition for DTR.
Or the Browns could really make things interesting by grabbing a young quarterback who has seen experience at a lower, but still professional level of play. Alex McGough, recently cut by the Green Bay Packers, lit the XFL on fire for the Birmingham Stallions. He was the best player in the league while leading his team to a second-straight USFL title and throwing four TDS in the championship game.
Best player in the USFL this year. Birmingham QB Alex McGough.
Also a showman. pic.twitter.com/kZcvhqt5Bv
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) June 26, 2023
Jordan Ta’amu, just cut by the Minnesota Vikings, has been perhaps the best player in his respective league three different times. The recent XFL MVP threw for the seventh-most yards in SEC history before performing at every professional opportunity he’s ever been given. He has high-end athleticism and a big arm that fits in nicely with what the Browns will likely try to do with Watson.
Here are some highlights from your newest #Vikings QB, Jordan Ta’amu!
– Big frame
– Incredible deep ball
– PLAYMAKER!Vikings just got a HIDDEN GEM! #skol pic.twitter.com/SUaSx9fuGp
— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) August 20, 2023
The Answer?
If the organization wants to find the best of both worlds – a young player who might grow into more but has veteran presence and poise — they should go after Bailey Zappe.
Zappe only has two starts to his name amounting to 92 total passing attempts. He doesn’t throw it deep downfield and he doesn’t have a ton of arm strength to fit the ball into tight windows. But he knows it and he plays like a limited quarterback, avoiding mistakes whenever possible. Despite an average depth of target of just 7.4 yards downfield on throws, Zappe managed 8.5 yards per passing attempt.
That’s better than what Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy put together last year.
That kind of efficiency wouldn’t continue, especially as the sample size grows and he gets more starts under his belt. But the point isn’t to find a hidden gem of a starter – it’s to find a guy who can take care of things when the quarterback goes down and the offense just needs someone who won’t screw up.
Given that the Browns have one of the best running games in the NFL, having a point guard at quarterback manage the game if Watson were to miss time seems like it would be a blessing. And it could help develop Thompson-Robinson, too.
Regardless of where the team ultimately lands, Stefanski and company are absolutely taking the right approach. Cleveland should leave no stone unturned in their search for the best roster possible as they attempt to make good on all their offseason roster moves and coaching changes to make a serious run at contention in 2023.
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