On Wednesday it was revealed that the Cleveland Browns will be without starting quarterback Deshaun Watson after the star signal caller apparently suffered a season-ending shoulder injury on Sunday.
After a sluggish 2-2 start to the season, the Cleveland Browns have caught fire in recent weeks. The team has won four of their last five, scored a huge win over divisional rivals the Baltimore Ravens this past weekend, and is in the thick of the AFC North title hunt.
Related: Why the Cleveland Browns Deshaun Watson trade should go down as the worst trade in NFL history
Unfortunately, they will now have to secure a playoff spot in 2023 without, arguably, their best player on offense. On Wednesday morning the organization revealed that Deshaun Watson will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a broken bone in his throwing shoulder.
“[After the team’s win over Baltimore] Deshaun notified our medical staff of a new discomfort in his right shoulder that he felt after a hit in the first half. An MRI of his right shoulder revealed a displaced fracture to the glenoid. … After consultation with Browns Head Physician, James Voos, MD, it has been determined that this injury will require immediate surgical repair to avoid further structural damage.”
– Browns statement on Deshaun Watson injury
Watson had missed several games this season due to a rotator cuff injury in the same shoulder. The team claims he is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season following recovery and rehabilitation for this new ailment.
With the Browns’ starting QB done for this year, let’s look at the options the organization has to replace the leader of their offense in and outside the franchise.
5 Cleveland Brown QB options after season-ending DeShaun Watson injury
PJ Walker
Chances are PJ Walker will be the Cleveland Browns’ starting QB for the rest of the season — barring injury — and it is understandable why. In relief of Watson this season the veteran signal-caller has done a rock-solid job and won two of his three starts, including a shocking win over the San Francisco 49ers.
While he may not be as talented as Watson, he understands the system, has succeeded in it, and the team doesn’t have to go through a dangerous transition period with a brand-new QB.
Matt Ryan
If the Browns wanted to swing for the fences by adding a well-respected commodity at QB, former league MVP Matt Ryan is still available in NFL free agency. While the 38-year-old has a cushy broadcast job with CBS, he has made it clear several times that he’s open to a return for the right situation. This would certainly be it and he is the best player on the quarterback market currently.
Joe Flacco
Another 38-year-old that is available is Ravens and Jets veteran Joe Flacco. If the Browns wanted a backup plan for Walker instead of rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Flacco would make sense. He has a Super Bowl title on his resume and could certainly serve as a proven game manager as the offense leans on their run game for the rest of the season.
Nick Foles
Another veteran on the open market with a Super Bowl victory under their belt is Eagles and Bears veteran Nick Foles. Again, he may not be an upgrade over Walker, however, he is far more proven than Thompson-Robinson and has been a part of some big wins in the postseason. Something no quarterbacks on the Cleveland roster can say, including Watson.
Unlikely perfect world option: Tom Brady
In a perfect world, Tom Brady might also be an option to guide the Browns offense for the second half of the season. His name is sure to come up in the next few days following the Deshaun Watson injury, and it makes sense since the team has an elite defense that could take them far in the playoffs.
However, it is very unlikely the future Hall-of-Famer will come out of retirement a second time for a short run with a Cleveland Browns team that is at the lower end of the title contender pack even if he joins the roster.