Browns backup-turned-starter Jacoby Brissett has been there, done that.
When Tom Brady was suspended and backup Jimmy Garropolo went down with an injury, Brissett was there, pressed into action.
When Colts star Andrew Luck abruptly announced his retirement weeks before the season in 2019, Brissett was there, ready to step up.
Last season, when Tua Tagovailoa missed time (and was woefully poor under center), Brissett was there, suddenly elevated to start.
And now, here we are again.
With Deshaun Watson suspended for six games as a result of sexual misconduct, who else makes much sense other than Jacoby Brissett?
He’s been here, done that.
So what can we expect from him as a starter?
What’s In A Name
Bill Parcells is a coaching legend.
He just might also be a psychic.
Back when Brissett was drafted by the Patriots, Parcells gave Brissett an apt nickname: “One Snap.”
The all-timer explained the nickname to MMQB, making sure everyone knew it wasn’t meant in jest:
“Oh, no. No. We are not making light of that. That’s a message. He understood it. I was trying to put his ears up like a German Shepherd. Put your ears up; you are only one snap from playing. Sure enough, it happened.”
The nickname proved prophetic.
Fortunately, this starting spurt has a chance to be Brissett’s most successful.
Using the averages from his last season as a starter(2019)
6 games with Jacoby Brissett would look like this
1,176 yds 7 TDs 2 Ints
Now give him the best backfield/WR corps he’s ever played with
The #Browns will be just fine going into week 7
— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) August 2, 2022
And while Josh Rosen and Josh Dobbs are both also rostered, let’s not mince words, it’s Brissett’s team during Watson’s suspension.
At least, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski:
“Jacoby is our backup quarterback. If Deshaun is unavailable, Jacoby’s the starter.”
Let’s start with the worst-case scenario for Brissett.
It’s fairly grim, so buckle up.
There are two worst-case scenarios: first, Brissett goes down with an injury.
Second, Brissett’s play is so putrid that Rosen or Dobbs is pressed into service.
The latter is unlikely, considering Brissett needs to play at a minimum level of competence for just six games.
But the injury risk could be real.
Fortunately, the Browns have one of the best offensive lines in the game.
But any injury to Brissett could seriously hamper the Browns’ first few weeks of games.
Best Case
Enough dismay and darkness, let’s talk positives.
The best case for Brissett is that he leads this team to a 5-1 record over the first six games.
Cleveland’s first six opponents, in order, are the Panthers, Jets, Steelers, Falcons, Chargers, and Patriots.
Those first four games are about as easy as any in the NFL.
The Panthers, Jets, and Falcons project to be three of the worst teams this season, with each featuring young or entirely unproven quarterbacks.
Frankly, the Browns’ defense alone might keep them in those games.
The Steelers game is a toss-up because, well, it’s the Steelers.
And no matter how weak a team is, with Mike Tomlin at the helm, anything is possible.
Jacoby Brissett will now take over in Cleveland:
▪️ 7,742 passing yards
▪️ 653 rushing yards
▪️ 49 total TDs
▪️ 17 INTs pic.twitter.com/2JNvOPHmZ6— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 1, 2022
The Browns realistically could be 4-0 heading into pivotal games against the Patriots and Chargers.
While the Chargers game is a long shot, simply because the Chargers project to be Super Bowl candidates, the Patriots game is eminently winnable.
And with the momentum off of the four games prior, heading into the Chargers game at 5-0 could make things quite interesting.
And if Brissett plays well, he might land himself another few years in the league.
Fingers crossed!
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