The Cleveland Browns have an expensive No. 1 quarterback in Deshaun Watson, who has yet to play to the potential of his monster contract. Once he’s healthy, he should be able to resume his role as the team’s QB1. As for his chief backup, that’s not all too clear at the moment. Joe Flacco is a pending free agent, leaving the unproven Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the only QB other than Watson with a contract for the 2024 NFL season.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com recently fielded a question from a Cleveland Browns fan who asked about the possibility of someone like former NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton becoming Watson’s top backup. Cabot indicated that such a move by the Browns will be welcomed by Watson, who played in only six games in the 2023 NFL season.
I’ve thought of that myself because of the obvious connections. Newton has also identified Watson as a QB he wouldn’t mind playing behind. I haven’t heard any rumblings to that effect, but the Browns will explore all of their options at backup quarterback, and Newton would certainly get the thumbs-up from Watson. Perhaps his name will come up when Kevin Stefanski and Ken Dorsey visit Watson in Los Angeles this week. I think they have some veteran QBs they’re targeting, but they always keep an open mind.
The best days of Newton are unquestionably behind him now. He left it in Carolina. He’s no longer a viable QB1 option but as a backup, who knows if there’s some more gas in his tank to be used up? Newton last played in the NFL with the Panthers in 2021, appearing in eight games and starting in five outings, passing for 684 yards and four touchdowns with five interceptions.
Cam Newton Had Been Speculated Before As A Cleveland Browns QB Option In 2023
This isn’t the first time that Newton’s name was linked to the Cleveland Browns. Back in November, after Watson suffered what became a season-ending injury, James Dator of SB Nation brought up the “crazy” idea of the team adding the former Carolina Panthers franchise QB.
“Newton’s not just a quarterback who could play for the Browns, he’s the quarterback custom made to step in and allow this team to compete. At worst he’s better than P.J. Walker and brings a new dimension. With a little luck it’s a move that could take one of the league’s best defenses and propel the entire organization into a deep playoff run.”
