Analysis
8/3/23
3 min read
Cleveland Browns Take Down New York Jets in 2023 Hall of Fame Game
Football is back. Well, sort of. The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns played in the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on Thursday, announcing the start of the 2023 NFL season.
The Browns won, 21-16, in a game that featured both teams heavily relying on their backups. The Browns sat 37 players for Thursday's contest.
Cleveland kept starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and presumed backup Joshua Dobbs on the sideline, electing to start Kellen Mond. The third-year pro delivered an uneven performance, completing 13 of 19 passes for one touchdown and one interception.
"I was disappointed in Kellen Mond's decision-making," said Mike Tannenbaum, a contributor to The 33rd Team. "He threw a terrible interception. He will need to clean that up to make their team or be a viable backup for someone else. This is an important preseason for him."
However, rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson impressed, completing eight of 11 passes for 82 yards, a touchdown, and rushing for an additional 36 yards.
Former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson — perhaps the game's biggest headliner — quarterbacked the first quarter, completing three of five passes for 65 yards, 57 of which came on one throw.
"Zach Wilson has clearly improved, especially his 57-yard completion to Malik Taylor," Tannenbaum said. "He played with more poise and confidence.
"Tim Boyle also looked effective. He was quick and decisive in his decision-making. The biggest question for the Jets will be Mekhi Becton, who left the game with an injury that needs to be monitored."
Zach Wilson throws a pretty deep ball to Malik Taylor for a long 57-yard gain.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 4, 2023
Despite Wilson's performance, former Jets coach and The 33rd Team analyst Eric Mangini believes the Jets should invest in a backup quarterback.
"Unless Wilson has made tremendous strides from where he was last year, they’re an injury away from being in the same situation they faced all last season," Mangini said. "They're going to have to evaluate Wilson's progress, not only as a player but his progress in the system."
While it's hard to draw any conclusions from a preseason game, it's impossible to deny how much pressure the Jets are under this season. The acquisition of QB Aaron Rodgers has put the entire coaching staff under the microscope.
If the team doesn't make a deep playoff run, Mangini fears there will be some changes for Gang Green. The Jets haven't won a playoff game since 2010 when they beat the New England Patriots in the divisional round.
"Their season expectation? To be Super Bowl contenders," Mangini added. "The reality is, if it’s anything besides that, there’s going to be a new coaching staff the following year."
