AP source: Browns to trade Keenum, sign Brissett as backup

Updated Mar. 19, 2022 5:13 p.m. ET

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While they wait to welcome Deshaun Watson, the Browns have agreed to trade backup quarterback Case Keenum to Buffalo and sign free agent QB Jacoby Brissett, a person familiar with the deals told The Associated Press on Saturday.

Cleveland is sending Keenum to Buffalo for a seventh-round draft pick in 2022, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not announced the deal.

Keenum has spent the past two seasons behind Baker Mayfield in Cleveland. But with the Browns trading for Watson and set to deal Mayfield at any moment, the team decided to completely change the quarterback situation and move on from Keenum as well.

The 34-year-old Keenum was due a $1 million roster bonus Friday. He was scheduled to make $6.6 million in 2022 — a steep price for a backup — and the team decided to ship him to the Bills instead.

Buffalo was in the market for a No. 2 quarterback behind Josh Allen after Mitchell Trubisky, who was the Bills' backup last season, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.

The 29-year-old Brissett started five games for Miami last season. He spent the previous four seasons with Indianapolis.

On Friday, Watson stunned the NFL world by changing his mind after rebuffing the Browns and waiving his no-trade clause to go to Cleveland, which is sending Houston three first-round picks over the next three years and more.

Watson became available last week after a grand jury elected not to indict him on sexual misconduct claims made by 22 women. Cleveland outbid at least three other teams for Watson by offering him a $230 million fully-guaranteed contract.

The Browns and Texans have agreed to terms on the blockbuster trade, which is still being finalized.

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