By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Reporter
CLEVELAND, AP — The Cleveland Browns reached a deal Thursday with free agent quarterback Josh Rosen on a one-year contract, giving them another veteran pending a decision on Deshaun Watson, The Associated Press told someone familiar with negotiations.
Rosen, who was on Cleveland’s radar before the 2018 draft, will officially sign the contract on Friday, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the deal.
Rosen, 25, trained this week for the Browns with AJ McCarron as they make contingency plans in case Watson is suspended by the NFL.
The Browns want to open training camp next week with four quarterbacks, according to the person.
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Watson faces possible suspension from the NFL after being accused by two dozen female massage therapists of sexual misconduct during sessions while the three-time Pro Bowler was playing for the Houston Texans.
Former federal judge Sue L. Robinson, the league’s disciplinary officer, is deciding whether Watson, who was traded to the Browns in March, violated the personal conduct policy.
If Watson is suspended, the Browns intend to go with veteran Jacoby Brissett as the starter and Rosen as the backup.
Brissett has started 37 games during his professional career with New England, Indianapolis and Miami. He signed as a free agent a day after Cleveland pressured Watson to waive his no-trade clause with a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal.
Josh Dobbs is also on Cleveland’s roster, but the 27-year-old has never started an NFL game and the Browns wanted to bring in another veteran in case Watson is out for several games.
Rosen was one of the best college quarterbacks the Browns considered signing with the first overall pick in 2018 before picking Baker Mayfield. Cleveland sold Mayfield to Carolina earlier this month after agreeing to recoup $10 million of his 2022 salary.
Rosen was drafted 10th that year by Arizona. He went 3-13 in starts for the Cardinals and Miami. He was with Atlanta last season and played in four games.
McCarron, 31, came close to coming to Cleveland in a 2017 trade from Cincinnati, but the deal was canceled when the Browns failed to file the proper documents with the league in time. McCarron also played for Oakland and Houston.
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