Signing Josh Rosen, Cleveland Browns prepare for Deshaun Watson suspension

Deshaun Watson, who last played during the 2020 season and led the league in passing yards, is facing a likely suspension. The Cleveland Browns quarterback reported to his first training camp Friday, a day after the team signed Josh Rosen, a potential backup. 

A three-time Pro Bowler, Watson, arrived at Cleveland’s training facility in Berea along with the team’s other QBs and rookies. He is  scheduled to undergo a physical followed by meetings.

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Deshaun Watson is facing suspension for violating its personal conduct policy. The 26-year-old is accused by two dozen massage therapists in Texas that he was sexually inappropriate with them during sessions while he played for Houston.

The league wants an indefinite suspension for Watson. He has, however, not been criminally charged and has maintained his innocence. Grand juries in two Texas counties declined to indict him. The QB has waived his no-trade clause and signed a five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland in March. 

Now, with Josh Rosen coming to the side on a one-year contract, the equation is quite simple for Cleveland, if Watson does not play. Veteran Jacoby Brissett will be a likely starter while Rosen is his backup. 

The Browns also have Josh Dobbs on the roster. 

Rosen, who is 25 years old, was selected with the No. 10 pick in 2018 by Arizona and went 3-10 in 13 starts as a rookie. He was then traded to Miami. The quarterback spent last season with Atlanta, appearing in four games.

Rosen will compete with Dobbs for a spot. The latter has never started an NFL game. He has attemped 17 passes in his stints with the Steelers. 

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Josh Rosen has spent his five years into NFL with four teams. He was also the Bucs, 49ers and Falcons as a backup. The Falcons had signed him in August after their No 2, McCarron, suffered a torn ACL in the second preseason game. 

Rosen relieved starter Matt Ryan three times and completed two of 11 attempts and threw two interceptions.