Browns To Sign QB Josh Rosen

Josh Rosen is heading to Cleveland. After working out for the Browns earlier today, the quarterback will sign with the team, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It will be a one-year deal for Rosen. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland (on Twitter), the quarterback will sign his contract tomorrow.

[RELATED: Browns Work Out QBs Josh Rosen, A.J. McCarron]

With Deshaun Watson facing a potential suspension, the Browns have reportedly been on the lookout for some reinforcement at the quarterback position. Rosen auditioned for the team earlier today, with A.J. McCarron also getting a work out. Cleveland has also been lightly connected to 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, and the Browns reportedly did some research on Garrett Gilbert, who spent time with the organization in 2019. Rosen ultimately won out, and he’ll now join a depth chart that includes Watson, presumed Week 1 starter Jacoby Brissett, and free agent signing Josh Dobbs.

It’s only been four seasons since Rosen was selected by the Cardinals with the 10th-overall pick in the 2018 draft. He only got one season in Arizona before the organization pivoted to Kyler Murray, and he didn’t show a whole lot when he was on the field. In 13 starts as a rookie, Rosen guided the Cardinals to a 3-10 record while completing 55.2 percent of his passes for 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

He was traded to the Dolphins in 2019, but he only got into six games (three starts) for his new squad, tossing one touchdown vs. five interceptions. He was waived prior to the 2020 campaign, and since that time, he’s had brief stints with the Buccaneers, 49ers, and Falcons. He ended up getting into four games for Atlanta last season, completing only two of his 11 pass attempts.

Temporarily, Rosen will mostly serve as depth at the position; Cabot writes that Rosen was signed to be a backup to Brissett (vs. competing with Brissett to serve as the temporary QB1). More significantly, it seems pretty clear that the Browns are preparing to be without Watson for at least a solid chunk of the upcoming campaign.

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