The 2023 NFL Preseason has been what we expected for most teams just looking to get through the month ahead of the regular season kickoff between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions on Thursday, Sept. 7.
For the Cleveland Browns, controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson’s $230 million deal comes with lofty expectations in his first season with the franchise. Still, as we’ve seen year after year, injuries happen at the quarterback position, so preparing for the worst is one of several benefits the preseason provides.
So, who is competing to back up Watson this season? That would be veteran backup Joshua Dobbs, former Texas A&M signal-caller Kellen Mond, and former UCLA rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
At 24, Kellen Mond’s NFL trajectory has been interesting thus far. After being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 3rd Round of the 2021 NFL Draft, he was released before the 2022 season and was immediately claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns just a day later.
Even with Mond and Dobbs on the roster, the Browns elected to draft Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the 5th Round in the 2023 NFL Draft to solidify their depth while providing even more competition at the No.3 or possibly two spots, spurring Mond to prove once again that he belongs in the league.
Fast forward to the 2023 NFL preseason, specifically Brown’s opening game during the Hall of Fame Game vs. the New York Jets in Dublin (OH), Mond, who, despite one mistake on an interception in the 2nd quarter, he would go 13/19 for 92 yards and a touchdown, yet Thompson-Robinson’s late game heroics to lead the Browns to a 21-17 victory (8-11, 82 yards, 1 TD) overshadowed Mond’s steady performance. Still, all in all, both young men had great showings.
In their second preseason game this weekend against the Washington Commanders, Joshua Dobbs, who remains a slight favorite to land the No.2, started things off after Watsons’ brief series, going 8-16 for 77 yards, followed by Thompson-Robinson’s second consecutive impressive 9-10, 102 yards, 1 TD exclamation point.
However, it was Mond’s final drive that likely caught the eye of Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, throwing for an efficient 79 yards on 7-12 passing while throwing an impressive strike for a touchdown to WR Mike Harley Jr. with just 1:39 left in the fourth quarter, driving the team down the field on ten plays for 78 yards to bring the Browns within two points, before eventually falling 17-15.
Kellen Mond had a pretty darn good last drive capped off by this throw to Mike Harley Jr. pic.twitter.com/6lmkQQjat7
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) August 12, 2023
With two more games left in the preseason, Dorian Thompson-Robinson may have a leg up on Mond and Dobbs due to his high-end athleticism and impressive confidence. Still, the tape never lies, and Stefanski and his staff have plenty to work with for the next couple of weeks before final decisions are made. For Kellen Mond, the traits are there, and strides were made on Saturday; but to truly compete for a spot on the roster, more “wow!” moments are sorely needed.
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