Browns Look For QB Protection, Sign Lineman Colby Gossett

The Cleveland Browns signed offensive lineman Colby Gossett Wednesday, adding more protection for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Gossett was a member of the Browns from 2019 to 2021.

Before joining the NFL, Gossett played at Appalachian State for four seasons from 2013 to 2017, earning first-team all-conference honors in his junior and senior years. The Minnesota Vikings selected him in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft but quickly waived him. After a year on the Arizona Cardinals, during which he briefly appeared on the main roster, and a very short stint with the New England Patriots, he landed on the Browns in 2019, earning a promotion to the main roster late in the regular season.

Gossett sat out the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and was released by Cleveland in 2021. He was picked up by the Atlanta Falcons, who later signed him to a one-year, $965,000 contract for the 2022 season. Between Arizona, Cleveland and Atlanta, he has now appeared in 36 games and made nine career starts.

The move is a minimal one for Cleveland and does not address any major needs, but it will likely give the team more depth at guard. Gossett is currently listed as the backup left guard behind five-time Pro-Bowler Joel Bitonio, who has not missed a start for the team since the 2016 season.

Gossett is just one of many players the Browns have signed this year to add depth at certain positions. The flashiest signings for Cleveland thus far have been wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, but the team also recently signed another two guards, Michael Dunn and Wes Martin, as well as defensive players Thomas Graham Jr. and Ben Stille. Two days before Gossett was signed, the team also picked up punter Joseph Charlton.

With last season serving as more of a false start because of Watson’s suspension, this season will be the first in which the Browns’ rebuilding effort will be truly tested. The team’s potential is very difficult to evaluate until issues at quarterback are firmly resolved through Watson’s play.