Who is the Cleveland Browns backup quarterback? Browns GM Andrew Berry addresses Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury

The Cleveland Browns are going to have to turn to their backup quarterbacks following the season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson.

CLEVELAND — Following the news of Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Deshaun Waton’s season-ending surgery, the team has addressed their quarterback situation going forward.

During a press conference on Wednesday morning, Browns GM Andrew Berry said they have “faith” in their quarterback room of P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

“I will let Kevin [Stefanski] address that when you meet with him later today,” Berry said when asked about the new starting quarterback. “We obviously have a ton of faith in that room with P.J. and Dorian, but I will let him address that with you guys this afternoon.”

Following the trade deadline last month, the team faced criticism for not acquiring a backup quarterback amidst Watson’s injury. 

“As with any part of the roster, we are always open to anything that helps improve the team,” Berry said. “We do believe in carrying three quarterbacks between the active and practice squad. What that distribution looks like really depends on the player. The one thing I will share is that we will add a quarterback at some point in the near future. What that looks like will be to be determined.”

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is expected to turn to the quarterback room Walker and Thompson-Robinson unless the team considers signing a veteran free agent.

“Our focus is on our current room. Like I mentioned, at some point we will add a third quarterback that will have a variety of forms, but our focus is on our current room,” Berry said.

Walker, a Temple University product, has started in two games for the Browns this season while Waston dealt with a previous shoulder injury. 

The Browns signed Walker in August and named him a starter in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers, leading them to a 19-17 victory. In the following week, Walker appeared in the game after Watson exited early against the Colts. The backup signal caller and the Browns came out victorious after Walker threw for 178 yards.

In his four games this season, Walker has completed 49% of his passes, while throwing five interceptions and one touchdown. 

Prior to his time with the Browns this season, Walker played in 15 games with the Carolina Panthers, garnering seven career starts and a 57.5% completion percentage. Walker spent the 2020 season in the XFL playing for the Houston Roughnecks.

Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson out of UCLA has served as Walker’s backup after a tough 28-3 loss against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4 in his first NFL start.

“We think he is a talented kid, very smart, very diligent as a worker and we are pleased with his progress so far but we will certainly need all hands on deck as we move forward,” said Berry on the team’s confidence in Thompson-Robinson.

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