Flacco Fever and Whacko for Flacco might not be revived after all.
Now that former Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett is signing with the Patriots, the Browns are strongly considering Jameis Winston as Deshaun Watson’s backup instead of Joe Flacco, a league source told cleveland.com.
The Browns’ interest in Winston, the 2015 No. 1 overall pick of the Bucs out Florida State, was first reported by Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
The Browns were planning to re-sign Joe Flacco if Brissett joined the Patriots, but the Winston opportunity threw a monkey wrench into those plans.
The Browns also had their eye on Brissett, their starter for the first 11 games of 2022 while Watson was suspended, but knew he’d likely sign with New England, where former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is now running the offense.
The Patriots offered Brissett a one-year contract worth $8 million, the same amount he got from the Commanders last season. It’s “bridge” quarterback money, for a player who might start part or all of a season in place of a rookie.
The Patriots, who just traded 2021 No. 15 overall pick Mac Jones to the Jaguars, have the No. 3 overall selection and are likely to draft another quarterback. The Browns didn’t want to go as high as $8 million for their QB2, whom they hope won’t see the field. Despite Watson coming off surgery to repair his fractured shoulder socket, the Browns are confident he’ll have a big season.