When the Atlanta Falcons drafted Desmond Ridder in the third-round of the NFL Draft in April, it signaled former backup Josh Rosen would need a new place to play in 2022.
Rosen signed with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, joining one of the more tumultuous quarterback rooms in the NFL.
“Cleveland is signing former first-round Josh Rosen to a one-year deal, per sources,” reported Adam Schefter on Twitter. “Despite spending time with five other NFL teams, Rosen is only 25 years old and those who have been around him believe he is ready to prove he belongs.”
It’s interesting that Schefter says “ready to prove he belongs.”
Rosen had questions about his desire to play football dating back to his high school days. He was an elite tennis player as well as football player growing up in Southern California. But he has always had the tools to be a good NFL quarterback, obviously as he was first-round draft pick.
Should he dedicate himself to his craft, maybe he can live up to that first-round status, but the odds are against him after bouncing around with five teams, including the Falcons.
It wasn’t just Rosen who was working out with the Browns. They also brought in A.J. McCarron for a workout before deciding on Rosen. Ironically, Rosen was signed as the Falcons backup after McCarron suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason with the Falcons.
The Falcons traded starter Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts after making an ill-fated attempt to trade for Deshaun Watson who ended up signing a $250 million guaranteed contract with the…. Browns.
The Browns needed another body after shipping off Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers, who the Falcons will see twice a season.
The links between the Browns and Falcons have happened frequently in 2022. The two teams face off October 2nd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
