Sunday's victory over the Baltimore Ravens was like an early Christmas gift to Cleveland Browns fans. With the Browns improving to 6-3 and only a half-game behind the Ravens in the standings, the fanbase had a sense of optimism that hadn't been there in quite some time.
But then disaster struck on Wednesday morning when Cleveland revealed that Deshaun Watson needs season-ending shoulder surgery. The veteran quarterback suffered a displaced fracture in his right shoulder during Week 10's game.
With the QB tandem of P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson not exactly providing much confidence, Browns GM Andrew Berry could look for external help under center to salvage the season.
With that in mind, are three veteran QBs that Cleveland must sign following the Watson injury news.
3 Veteran QB Targets for Browns
1. Joe Flacco
If the Browns want a QB who knows the AFC North well, Joe Flacco is their guy.
The 38-year-old veteran gunslinger terrorized the division for 11 years with the Ravens and owns a 37-27 all-time record against AFC North teams. The fact that he's also a former Super Bowl MVP highlights the experience he'd bring to Cleveland's locker room.
While Flacco might not be the quarterback he once was, he still has some juice left in the tank. He made 12 appearances (9 starts) across the last three seasons with the New York Jets, averaging 187.8 passing yards per outing while throwing 14 touchdowns to 6 interceptions.
On top of that, Flacco's passer rating during that span (81.5) is a significant improvement over those of Walker (51.3) and Thompson-Robinson (28.0) this season.
With the Browns' offensive line being among the better units this season, it's the perfect opportunity for Flacco to prove that he still has it. After all, the 210.2 passing yards he averaged last season is more than any Cleveland QB is averaging in 2023.
2. Nick Foles
Speaking of former Super Bowl MVPs, Nick Foles is another intriguing available name.
Drafted 88th overall in 2012, Foles has earned a reputation for being someone who steps up when needed. After all, he only had the opportunity to help the Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LII due to Carson Wentz tearing his ACL during Week 14 of the 2017 season.
While Foles didn't look great with the Indianapolis Colts last season (0 TDs, 4 INTs in 2 starts), I'd hardly say that was his fault. The Colts had one of the league's worst offenses in 2022, highlighted by the fact that neither Matt Ryan nor Sam Ehlinger played well with the team, either.
Behind our offensive line, I'm sure Foles could have some success. He plays a relatively mistake-free brand of football, completing 62.4% of his career passing attempts while throwing more touchdowns than interceptions in every campaign except last year.
Even if Foles is no longer in Pro Bowl form, it's nearly impossible to argue that Walker and DTR are better options.
3. Colt McCoy
What about a reunion with a familiar face?
Colt McCoy began his NFL career when the Browns drafted him 85th overall back in 2010. He spent three seasons in Cleveland, passing for 4,388 yards, 21 TDs, and 20 INTs before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round pick in April 2013.
Since being shipped out, McCoy has bounced around the league as one of the most trusted backup QBs. He's earned a ton of praise from his past coaches for being able to step up when injuries arise, making him an ideal candidate to do so again with the Browns.
Even in the back half of his career, McCoy is still a serviceable game manager. He's made 8 starts over the last three seasons, playing to a 68.7% completion rate and 84.5 passer rating while throwing 5 touchdown passes and as many interceptions. Hell, it was only two years ago when he had a 101.4 passer rating in 3 starts with the Arizona Cardinals.
At the end of the day, McCoy can't be any worse than Cleveland's internal options. Besides, with little playing time left in his career, it'd be a good gesture to let the 37-year-old start for the Browns again after unceremoniously dumping him for Brandon Weeden 11 years ago.
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