Was it incorrect of the Browns to pass on Justin Fields as a backup quarterback?

The Cleveland Browns focused heavily on the backup quarterback position this offseason following a tumultuous 2023 season with five different quarterbacks. Joe Flacco, despite winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award for his performance in five starts, wasn’t retained by the Browns due to his age of 39.

Instead, the Browns opted to sign Jameis Winston to a one-year contract, while Joe Flacco moved on to join the Indianapolis Colts. Winston, the top overall pick in the 2015 draft, is significantly younger than Flacco and is widely regarded as an excellent backup quarterback. However, ESPN has suggested that the Browns may have missed an opportunity by not pursuing a trade for Justin Fields.

In 2021, Justin Fields was a first-round draft pick who demonstrated improvement throughout the season, accumulating 2,562 passing yards with a 16-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Known for his mobility, Fields also rushed for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, followed by 657 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.

The Chicago Bears’ decision to draft Caleb Williams with the first overall pick signaled the end for Fields in Chicago. Facing reduced leverage, the Bears traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a mere sixth-round selection. Critics, including Jared Mueller of Dawgs by Nature quoting ESPN, have argued that the Cleveland Browns missed an opportunity by not acquiring Fields.

Mueller’s critique of the Browns’ offseason revolves around their quarterback strategy. While the additions of Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley as backups were understandable given Joe Flacco’s age and recent performance history, Mueller suggests the Browns could have aimed higher. Despite their investment in Deshaun Watson, Mueller argues that the Browns should have explored alternatives, particularly given Watson’s underwhelming performance in Cleveland. Mueller views the failure to trade for Fields, who ultimately landed with the Steelers for a conditional sixth-round pick, as a significant misstep by the Browns.

Entering the offseason, Justin Fields is now the second-string quarterback behind Russell Wilson for the Denver Broncos, following Wilson’s release. This move led to Kenny Pickett forcing a trade elsewhere.

Earlier in the offseason, Cleveland was connected to Fields, but ultimately opted for Jameis Winston, who has shown promise during offseason workouts. The hope for the Browns is that Winston won’t need to see significant playing time, ensuring they won’t face scrutiny over their decision to back up Deshaun Watson.