On Sunday, three prominent quarterbacks will be in the spotlight for the season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns, but only two will actually be playing.
As Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson take the field, Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, will be analyzing the game on TV as a Fox analyst. Brady’s debut as a broadcaster has been highly anticipated since before he retired for the second time, adding extra excitement to the Week 1 matchup filled with intriguing storylines.
Browns Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio expressed confidence in Brady’s new role, saying, “I’m sure he’ll do a great job. He’s done great jobs with pretty much everything else he’s done. It’s cool.”
Brady has reportedly prepared for his new role with the same dedication he showed during his career, where he passed for nearly 90,000 yards and 649 touchdowns with New England and Tampa Bay.
He will closely watch Prescott as he starts the final year of his contract and analyze Watson, who will be playing his first game since injuring his throwing shoulder in November. Watson’s injury was a surprising end to his second season with the Browns, who are hoping their $230 million investment will pay off.
Watson showed no problems throwing during the summer, but the Browns chose not to play him in the preseason to avoid any setbacks. Coach Kevin Stefanski has revamped the offense, bringing in coordinator Ken Dorsey to create a system that fits Watson’s dual-threat abilities.
While the offense might need time to gel, the Browns can rely on their defense, led by edge rusher Myles Garrett, the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year.
