A report says the NFL is recommending a suspension of at least a year for Deshaun Watson. Baker Mayfield addresses a possible return to the Browns, but what are Cleveland's other options for a quarterback?
Watson discipline: NFL recommends at least a 1 year suspension
It's looking fairly certain that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will be sitting out the entire 2022 season, if not longer.
An NFL disciplinary hearing for Watson began on Tuesday, with the NFL and NFLPA jointly appointing disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson to conduct the hearing, CBS reported.
Following a ruling by Robinson, both the NFL and NFLPA will have the option to appeal her decision. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell can also either rule on the appeal or he can call in an independent ruler.
Ahead of the hearing, the NFL made a recommendation to Robinson that Watson be given at least a one-year suspension, according to USA Today Sports.
Watson recently settled 20 of 24 civil lawsuits stemming from alleged behavior when he was a member of the Houston Texans. Watson has denied any wrongdoing, and two Texas grand juries failed to indict him on any criminal charges earlier in the off-season.
Baker Mayfield addresses a possible return to the Browns
As the number one overall NFL draft pick in 2018, Baker Mayfield signed a four-year rookie contract with Cleveland. Prior to the 2022 season, the Browns traded for quarterback DeShaun Watson. Mayfield repeatedly expressed his wishes to be traded, with his status uncertain in light of Watson joining the team. But now that Watson is almost certainly out for 2022, Mayfield was asked if he will remain in Cleveland, CBSSports reported.
"Nah," Mayfield told reporters at his youth camp in Norman, Oklahoma, SoonerScoop.com reported. "I think for that to happen there would have to be some reaching out. But we're ready to move on, I think, on both sides."
What other options does Cleveland have for a quarterback?
There had been a lot of speculation about how the Cleveland Browns will fill their quarterback slot should Deshaun Watson be suspended and sit out the 2022 season or longer.
However, some believe it may be possible for Watson to appeal any disciplinary decision. There is precedent, with the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger reducing his suspension from six games to four in 2010 and the Eagles' Michael Vick reducing his suspension from six games to two in 2019. However, Watson faced 24 separate lawsuits which is significantly more than Roethlisberger or Vick.
While some are indicating Mayfield, the former number one draft pick has signaled he and the Browns organization are both ready to move on.
Other Quarterback Options
The current primary fill-in for the Browns is Jacoby Brissett, signed this offseason to a one-year, $4.65 million deal as the new backup, CBSSports reported. Brissett's career stats as a starter are 14-23, as he has served primarily as backups previously for the Patriots, Colts, and Dolphins.
The only other quarterback currently on the Cleveland roster is Joshua Dobbs, a former Steelers backup, who has only thrown 17 passes in his career.
Other names getting thrown around are Jimmy Garoppolo, who underwent shoulder surgery at the start of the off-season, Eagles backup Gardner Minshew, and former Panthers QB Cam Newton.