This is the worst-case scenario. If Jacoby Brissett is the Week 1 starter for the Browns, then not only would they have (likely) drafted a rookie signal-caller who isn’t ready to play, but they would also have whiffed on more-talented veteran options.

This is Cleveland, though, so disaster always looms on the horizon.

Brissett made five starts for the New England Patriots this season, completing less than 60 percent of his passes and barely averaging 100 passing yards per game.

As the 32-year-old told reporters, though, New England’s lack of passing-game weapons didn’t do him any favors.

“There’s so much I could say, but I guess, ‘not ideal.’ Obviously, a unique situation here,” Brissett said. “I’m not the one to make excuses, but at some point, somebody is going to have to watch the film and understand what I was dealing with. I think that kind of speaks for itself. I think it’s very easy for people to blame the quarterback for things—that’s what this profession is—but yeah, man, tough year.”

The 2016 third-rounder has some familiarity with Kevin Stefanski’s offense after playing for the Browns in 2022, making 11 starts. He threw for just over 2,600 yards, with 12 touchdowns, six picks and a passer rating just under 90.

Brissett wouldn’t be especially expensive, and he might welcome the chance to actually play. But if he’s under center for more than a few games in 2025, the season isn’t going to turn out any better than 2024 did.