There might be theories everywhere, but no one truly knows yet how long Deshaun Watson will be suspended for. And if it’s for an extended period of time, the Cleveland Browns might be scrambling to find a quarterback.
Of course, that would be the product of their own choice to pursue someone who was under league investigation. Nevertheless, they will need to chart a course that undoubtedly will be dictated by the length of the suspension.
For now, the Browns have Jacoby Brissett in line to backup Watson, and he presumably become the starter if Watson is suspended. But Brissett is a good-not-great option, but if Watson misses a substantial chunk of time the Browns might need an upgrade at the position.
The idea of Jimmy Garoppolo has been kicked around, but what about Cam Newton? The veteran quarterback remains a free agent, and has started 20 games across the last two seasons -- albeit with mixed results, posting a 7-13 record.
Appearing on 670 The Score’s “Mully and Haugh” on Tuesday, ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio offered his thoughts on a potential Newton pursuit.
“I haven’t seen Cam Newton as a possibility, although it makes sense," Florio said. "Because if Newton walks through the door, it needs to be as the starter, and if Watson will be out for the full year, that would be an opportunity for Newton to come in and be the guy from Day 1. Now, I think if Watson would be gone for the full year you need to think about Jimmy Garoppolo. …
“The problem is at that point, they may get hijacked by the 49ers (raising the price) if all of the sudden they have an urgent need for Jimmy Garoppolo, so they may not be able to work that out. And maybe this Cam Newton possibility is, if nothing else, leverage to try to get Garoppolo for a better number. I still don’t think it comes to that, but they have to be thinking about it.”
At this point, it is fair to wonder how much of an upgrade Newton is over Brissett. He would sign for cheap, but Newton is highly limited as a passer at this point in his career, to a level that it might not be worth it to sign him.
Newton spent the 2020 season with the Patriots after getting cut that offseason by the Panthers. He was then released by the Patriots last offseason after losing the starting quarterback battle in camp Mac Jones, then re-signed midyear with the Panthers, starting in five games and appearing in three others.
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