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The Cleveland Browns placed Jacoby Brissett in a uniquely difficult position this offseason. He was signed as a backup to Deshaun Watson, knowing Watson was awaiting a suspension at some point.
No one knew how long the suspension would be, leaving Brissett in a backup role even though he was the likely Week 1 starter. Then came the 11-game ban for Watson, inserting the career backup into the starting lineup.
Things got off to a great start with a Week 1 win, but the quarterback and his team entered Week 12 with a tough task. They stood at 3-7 in the standings and were facing Tom Brady. However, they did the impossible and the Browns quarterback made a statement before heading to the bench.
Jacoby Brissett proved once again he can start in the NFL
The Browns needed a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At points, it looked like the same story would play out. The Browns would get close but ultimately fall to a better opponent in heartbreaking fashion. However, Brissett didn't let that happen.
He never faltered, even after a crushing drop by Amari Cooper late in the fourth quarter. He led the game to overtime after a great throw to David Njoku that was hauled in with one hand to keep the game alive. He then brought the win home in overtime, capping his stint as Browns starter in the best way possible.
Nobody expected the signal-caller to play like Watson or even be elite. He was just tasked with keeping things steady and allowing Watson to return with even an outside shot at the playoffs. He did just that by leading the team to a 4-7 mark that could've been 5-6 if not for the epic Week 2 collapse against the New York Jets.
The defense in Cleveland was a far bigger concern than quarterback play, raising questions about how much will change with Watson under center.
As for Brissett, he proved himself in a major way. At a time when players like Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, and Zach Wilson are struggling, Brissett proved he can step into an impossible situation and succeed.
A new era is now beginning for the Browns, starting next Sunday in Houston. But no matter what happens, no one will have anything but fond memories of the quarterback who got Cleveland to this point.
