With speculation looming on a potential suspension for quarterback Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed to the media that Jacoby Brissett is the team’s backup quarterback, and would start in Watson’s place in such a scenario.
Stefanski made those comments Wednesday when meeting with the media at training camp:
Stefanski: "Jacoby's our backup QB, if Deshaun's unavailable then Jacoby's the starter"@Browns @cleveland19news
— Cleveland 19 Sports (@WOIOSports) July 27, 2022
The head coach also commented on how the Browns are splitting practice time among the quarterbacks, given the potential suspension:
#Browns Kevin Stefanski on possible Deshaun Watson suspension: "We have a plan and as information becomes available we can adjust that plan."
Said they'll continue rotating the QBs like they usually do, and Watson and Jacoby Brissett will both get "a ton of reps."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) July 27, 2022
Watson and the Browns are awaiting a decision from retired federal judge Sue L. Robinson on a potential suspension. A three-day hearing before Judge Robinson took place at the end of June, and the judge asked for both the NFL and the NFLPA to submit written post-hearing briefs during the week of July 11th, and according to Pro Football Talk, those were submitted on July 12th.
For now, Watson is practicing with the Browns. Cleveland also signed Josh Rosen to their roster prior to the start of training camp. But according to Stefanski, Brissett will be in line to start if and when a suspension is handed down.