How five different quarterbacks led the Cleveland Browns to a winning season
In short: In an era of unprecedented instability at the quarterback position, the 2023 Cleveland Browns achieved the impossible. Despite starting a franchise-record five different players, the team surged from a losing record to a playoff berth, proving that defensive dominance and special teams precision can overcome even the most chaotic roster transitions.
The 2023 Cleveland Browns season was defined by a historic lack of continuity under center. The team utilised five distinct signal-callers: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Deshaun Watson, P. J. Walker, Jeff Driskel, and Joe Flacco. No season in club history had more starters, nor has any NFL squad since the 1987 New England Patriots.
The season was a rollercoaster of injury and resurgence. While the team began with a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, the loss of Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb to a severe knee injury in Week 2 presented a massive hurdle. Furthermore, the offensive engine stalled when Deshaun Watson suffered a right shoulder fracture that required season-ending surgery, a blow revealed following a Week 9 victory over Baltimore.
Amidst this instability, veteran Joe Flacco provided a stabilizing force. Having spent eleven weeks unattached, Flacco secured the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year honour, leading the side to the post-season and triumphing in four of five appearances. This resurgence helped the Browns finish with an 11–6 record, their first winning season since 2020, and an improvement over their 7–10 finish in 2022.
While the offense struggled with identity, the defense and special teams provided the foundation for success. The defense recorded a shutout against the Arizona Cardinals, their first since 2007, and Myles Garrett earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors following a dominant performance against Indianapolis. Simultaneously, kicker Dustin Hopkins set NFL records, becoming the first player to make field goals of at least 50 yards in five consecutive games.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2023 Cleveland Browns season
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