On Thursday, the Browns hosted quarterbacks AJ McCarron and Josh Rosen for workouts.
With the cloud of Deshaun Watson‘s situation hanging over the team, Cleveland was looking at depth options under center.
And by Friday, Rosen was tabbed as the fourth quarterback the Browns were bringing into camp.
Evidently, Cleveland wasn’t content heading into camp with just Watson, Jacoby Brissett, and Josh Dobbs.
It makes sense — Brissett as a starter is a harrowing proposition, but Josh Dobbs as the backup is arguably scarier.
Brissett is just one rolled ankle or TJ Watt tackle away from the worst quarterback situation in the league.
And while Rosen isn’t necessarily a major upgrade, he does carry the pedigree of a recent top-ten pick.
On the subject, here’s a fun fact: Rosen was the tenth pick in 2018, nine picks after former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
And Mayfield’s current quarterback competition in Cleveland is none other than Sam Darnold, who was taken No. 3 by the New York Jets in 2018.
And what exactly does the Rosen signing mean for the Browns as training camp is about to begin?
No Jimmy G
The Browns signing Rosen officially puts to rest any debate that San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garropolo is heading to Cleveland.
There wasn’t any smoke, let alone fire, to that idea to begin with.
Cleveland is signing former first-round Josh Rosen to a one-year deal, per sources. Despite spending time with five other NFL teams,
Rosen is only 25 years old and those who have been around him believe he is ready to prove he belongs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 21, 2022
But for now, it officially closes the door on Jimmy G trading sunny San Fran for Cleveland.
It also eliminates another potential team that Garropolo could join this summer.
The Niners face a not dissimilar situation to the Browns with Garropolo — they have a quarterback ready to move on, but a serious shortage of suitors.
And with the Rosen move, it’s fair to say that one more potential suitor (whether there was any real interest or not) is officially off the table.
Lengthy Suspension Incoming?
Let’s make one thing clear: if the Browns expected that Watson wouldn’t miss any time, they wouldn’t have signed Rosen.
At this point, it’s not a matter of if Watson is suspended, but rather how long.
Does a Rosen signing point to a lengthy suspension?
Potentially.
NBC’s Mike Florio reported this week that the Browns are bracing for an eight-game suspension for Watson.
But with the recent Rosen signing, perhaps Cleveland expects a lengthier suspension than just eight games.
While NFL Disciplinary Officer Sue Robinson is the one tasked with issuing an official suspension, Commissioner Roger Goodell can still extend or alter the suspension if he wishes.
This is Josh Rosen's profile. His profile picture is when he was drafted by the Cardinals. His banner is him on the Dolphins. His bio says QB for the ATL Falcons… Josh Rosen is currently on the Cleveland Browns. pic.twitter.com/2aJqNWmZ2f
— jack (@SAUCEGARDN3R) July 21, 2022
Given the fact that the NFL pushed for an indefinite suspension during its hearing with Robinson, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Goodell sees to it that Watson misses all of 2022-23.
Could the Rosen signing also mean the Browns feel an update on the suspension is imminent?
It’s certainly possible — why wait until Watson is already suspended to seek out another option under center?
Maybe Cleveland simply wanted to bring someone in before training camp begins and that’s all.
Or maybe they have an idea that Watson’s suspension will be handed down soon.
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