The first of the 2023 NFL preseason kicked off with a blast! The Hall of Fame game between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets saw the battle of rookies and reserves on the gridiron. Both Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers did not make an appearance in the HOF game, and the field was set for the rookies to make their mark ahead of the start of the new season. 

And the rookies impressed everyone in the Hall Of  Fame game on Thursday night. As the rookies make their mark, Browns’ $230,000,000 QB joins Aaron Rodgers in talks about how their jobs now may be in jeopardy.

Rookie QBs impress as Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers sit out HOF game

The game between the Browns and the Jets was exhilarating, to say the least. The Aaron Rodgers for the Jets started off with a loss, as the Cleveland Browns clinched the win with a 21-16 win. But the rookie QBs on both sides displayed their prowess as QBs of the future in the NFL. Zach Wilson showcased how he is trustworthy as a backup QB, as he went on to set up the game’s first score with a 57-yard completion to Malik Taylor. But the 24-year-old QB was not the only one who made an impression.

With Deshaun Watson sitting out, it was Dorian Thompson- Robinson, took charge on the gridiron for his team. The fifth-round pick for the Browns in the 2023 draft had 8 of 11 attempts for 82 yards in the HOF game. Apart from this, Robinson made a 22-yard TD pass to Austin Watkins Jr, which established the comeback of the Browns in the second half of the game.

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And this also led to fans believing that maybe this rookie QB is going to give Deshaun Watson some stiff competition.

Rookie to give Watson a run for his money

Last season, the team acquire Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans in a five-year $230 million deal. But after coming back from an 11-game suspension for violating NFL’s player Conduct policy, Watson had a pretty mediocre debut in the last six games of the Browns last season. And now, fans feel that Watson faces tough competition for the  QB1 position with Robinson.

One fan felt that Dehsaun Watson’s time in the NFL is over, “Watson is finished”

Another fan said, “He better then Watson”

This fan talked about how Watson’s contract will be a hindrance to giving Robinson a chance as a starter, “Its a shame he won’t even get the chance to beat out watson bc of that terrible contract they have him smh”

Another fan felt that Robinson should get more recognition, “That kid is good! Should get a closer look.

This fan said, “Watson’s job is in question after tonight and the preseason hasn’t even happened yet”

Do you think the rookie fifth-round QB is going to be a fierce competitor for the QB1 position? Let us know in the comments below. 

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