Browns depth chart: Who is the backup for Deshaun Watson?

After trading Baker Mayfield to the Panthers, the Cleveland Browns have two backup quarterback options behind Deshaun Watson for 2022.

The Browns are all-in on Deshaun Watson even if he’s not available to play for them this season.

Facing NFL discipline over dozens of sexual misconduct allegations and four outstanding civil suits, there’s a pretty good chance Watson’s backup will have significant playing time this year.

Now we know Baker Mayfield won’t be the backup plan. Cleveland traded the quarterback to the Panthers for a fifth-round draft pick.

So who is QB2?

Browns depth chart: Who is the backup for Deshaun Watson?

If Watson can’t play, the Browns will have to turn to Jacoby Brissett as the backup with Joshua Dobbs as the third option.

Neither of those backups are particularly exciting to consider as starters for Cleveland but at least Brissett has 37 games of starting experience in his career.

Brissett was drafted by the Patriots in the third round in 2016 and he started two games for them as a rookie going 1-1. A trade to the Colts set him up with a starting role in ’17. He went 4-11 that year while being sacked 52 times. He started 15 games again in ’19 and went 7-8 with a career-high 18 touchdowns.

In 2021, Brissett signed with Miami and replaced Tua Tagovailoa to start five games. He went 2-3 in that stretch.

Dobbs has never started a game and has 17 career attempts. He saw action in 2018 and ’20 for the Steelers but missed the ’21 season on IR.

Whether it’s Brissett or Dobbs, a season without Watson at the helm will essentially be a place holder for 2023.

The NFL is still weighing a decision on discipline for Watson. He has been accused by more than 20 massage therapists of inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature during massage appointments while he was a member of the Houston Texans.