The Cleveland Browns ought to pull the plug on P.J. Walker if they are serious about winning. 

At 4-2, Cleveland sits in a precarious position. The status of Deshaun Watson is unknown. The Browns have played Walker in seven of the team's last eight quarters. And though Cleveland walked away with a couple of how did the Browns do that wins during that time, if the team wants to capitalize on a defense that is playing its best football this season, the franchise ought to call up the Washington Commanders and ask for an old friend in a trade — Jacoby Brissett. 

Watson, in Week 7, played 12 snaps before a hit early in a matchup with the Indianapolis Colts led to head coach Kevin Stefanski sitting the quarterback out of "protection." But in a year when the Browns are trying to contend, Watson's uncertainty throws a wrench in a plan built on the $230-million quarterback's shoulders. 

Amid that uncertainty, insert Brissett. It is not a guarantee that Washington is willing to deal away the 30-year-old signal caller. 

At 3-4, Washington sits as the third-best team in the division, with minimal room to move up. Still, it is understandable that the franchise may turn to Brissett if it feels that there is a chance to win meaningful games later in the season. 

But that also may not be the case. And the Browns ought to at least call to gauge Washington's interest in a deal ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. 

Brissett in Cleveland makes sense. He would be walking into an offense he helped captain during the 2022 season. He is respected in the Browns locker room and somewhat revered by the coaching staff. 

The only reason he found his way to Washington was the Browns were penny-pinching with ludicrous amounts owed to Watson. But going cheap on backup roles always comes back to bite. If the Browns re-acquired Brissett, the team would be on the hook for the remaining amount of his $3 million base salary. 

It also helps that the Browns haven't been afraid to pull the trigger on past trades. Recently, in August, the Browns front office made a deal to send away Josh Dobbs. That can be looked at as a mistake now. But Andrew Berry also made deals to net contributors that have helped the Browns reach a winning record through the first seven weeks of the NFL season. 

Now, it is time for Berry to do it again with an old friend. 

If Watson finds himself on the IR moving forward, Cleveland can not realistically start Walker while telling the NFL world it is trying to win games. 

Brissett won't save Cleveland. His play in 10 starts with the Browns was locked between average and dreadful. But he gives the Browns the best shot at winning when the team's swing-for-the-fences quarterback is slogging through a disappointing and injury-filled second season in the AFC North. 

Browns sign QB P.J. Walker to active roster

The Browns have made a roster addition.