CLEVELAND — *EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video is from a previous story.
For the second time in as many days, the Browns have apparently made a trade involving a quarterback.
No, Baker Mayfield isn't involved.
According to multiple media outlets, Cleveland is sending backup QB Case Keenum to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero was the first to report the news.
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To fill the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, ESPN's Adam Schefter says the Browns have inked Jacoby Brissett to a one-year contract. He was previously a starter for the Indianapolis Colts and spent this past season backing up Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
An NFL journeyman who himself has experience as a starter (taking the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game), Keenum came to the Browns in 2020 to provide veteran mentorship and "insurance" to the young Mayfield. He appeared in nine games during that stretch, completing 52 of 82 passes (63.4%) for 508 yards and three touchdowns along with one interception. He came off the bench to start twice in 2021, winning both times.
As Cleveland looks to clear cap room, Keenum was seen as unlikely to return next season, especially after barely stepping in for a badly injured Mayfield this past year. However, as 3News' Ben Axelrod noted, the Browns kept him on the roster long enough to allow him to earn a $1 million bonus, putting his 2022 salary at $7.1 million.
The man replacing him, Brissett, was a third-round pick out of NC State in 2016 and sports a 14-23 record as a starter with the New England Patriots, Colts, and Dolphins. He's thrown for 7,742 career yards and 36 TDs compared to 17 picks, while also rushing for 3.7 yards per carry and 13 scores. He won two out of five starts in 2021 for Miami, with a 5-4 TD/INT ratio.
The Browns have now completely overhauled their quarterback room, notably with the acquisition of three-time Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans. Mayfield, a former No. 1 overall pick and the team's starter for the last four years, will almost certainly be dealt out of town.
With Keenum gone and Mayfield likely to follow, Nick Mullens would be the only QB remaining from last season. The 26-year-old also has starting experience and played well in this previous Week 15's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders — when much of the Browns' roster was out with COVID-19.
The backup quarterback spot could be more crucial than ever, especially since Watson could be suspended due to allegations of sexual misconduct from more than 20 different women. Watson has denied the reports and a grand jury declined to file criminal charges, but civil litigation remains pending and the NFL could still decide to discipline him on its own.