Browns Sign Former First Rounder Josh Rosen To 1-Year Contract

Cleveland, Ohio-

While everyone awaits Sue Robinson’s decision on Deshaun Watson, the Browns added 2018 first round pick Josh Rosen. With a suspension looming and opening day approaching, Cleveland added Rosen as depth to an unsure quarterback room. If Watson receives a lengthy suspension, that leaves a group of Jacoby Brissett, Josh Dobbs, and Rosen.

The 10th pick in the draft, Rosen infamously referred to the players taken before him as “mistakes”. Vowing to make teams regret passing on him, Rosen’s career has failed to take off so far. After mulling the idea of not declaring if the Browns took him, Rosen finds himself on his fifth team in his young career. Let’s take a look at Josh Rosen’s career so far.

 

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals took Josh Rosen with the 10th pick of the 2018 draft. He wouldn’t get the starting job right away though, as he replaced Sam Bradford midgame Week 3. Rosen would appear in 14 games his rookie year, finishing with 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Cardinals finished 3-13, earning the first overall pick and replacing Steve Wilks with Kliff Kingsbury. With the first overall pick, Arizona went with Kyler Murray, eventually dealing Rosen to the Dolphins for two draft picks.

 

Miami Dolphins

Starting the year behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, Rosen would yet again take over in Week 3, throwing for 200 yards in a loss to the Cowboys. He wouldn’t hold onto the job long though, as he was replaced with Fitzpatrick against Washington, throwing for 85 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Rosen would appear in one more game, finishing the year with 567 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions. Like his time in Arizona, Rosen was again replaced as the Dolphins took Tua Tagovailoa 5th overall.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers/San Francisco 49ers

After the Dolphins were unable to find a trade partner, Rosen was waived and signed to the Tampa Bay practice squad in 2020. Later that same season, the 49ers signed Rosen following injuries to three of their quarterbacks. While he was active for the last two games, Rosen saw no playing time in San Francisco. He was signed to a one-year extension in February but was cut in August after failing to win the third string job.

 

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta signed Rosen to be their second string QB for the 2021 season following an injury to A.J. McCarron. Rosen ended up appearing in four games for the Falcons, though it was more folly than highlight. He finished the 2021 campaign 2-11 for 19 yards with two interceptions. With the uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson, the Browns signed Rosen to a one-year contract.

 

My Take

Until we know what the suspension looks like for Watson, I like this move to add depth to the quarterback room. Is Josh Rosen going to win you a ton of games? No, at least not at this point in his career. Rosen is on his fifth team in five seasons and needs to prove that he belongs on an NFL roster. In a backup, I like the need to prove yourself and he can start by being on an NFL roster. In a backup, I like the need to prove yourself and he can start by being consistent in practice. If he has a good year and shines inside the facility, he may be an option as a backup going forward. If not, there are plenty of options available for a second or third string quarterback. Either way, another solid move by Andrew Berry.

 

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