UCLA Football: Browns' Recent QB Moves Pave Way for Former Bruin's Secure Backup Job

The top understudy in Cleveland.

After a terrific preseason showing for his new NFL team, one former Bruin instilled enough confidence in his front office to make him the top backup QB for the team. 

Two moves from Cleveland's front office centered around Kellen Mond and Joshua Dobbs have left UCLA standout Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the top backup to Deshaun Watson for the Browns. 

Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who has had a terrific training camp, is now Cleveland's No. 2 QB behind Deshaun Watson. Per source, Browns getting a 5th-rounder back (the 5th via Philly) in the Dobbs deal. #Browns

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) August 24, 2023

Dealing Dobbs to the Cardinals for a future draft pick and rumors about waiving Mond earlier this week, it's clear that the preseason audition for the man known as DTR to secure the role as the lead backup QB for the team. 

Dobbs started his career with the Steelers but has bounced around the league since his time as at Tennessee for his college career. The former Volunteer will now get the chance to show his stuff in Arizona in lieu of Kyler Murray's injury. 

Mond was a touted draft pick to the Vikings out of college, but Thompson-Robinson was clearly favored after the two competed in their preseason fixtures. 

After announcing they waived Kellen Mond earlier today, the #Browns have now pulled back that move and plan to keep him on the roster through the preseason, source says. Trading Josh Dobbs changed things and Mond should play this week.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 24, 2023

In three preseason games, Thompson-Robinson completed 30 for 46 passes and threw for two touchdowns, clearly outplaying Mond and instilling enough confidence in his coaching staff to deal presumed backup Dobbs. 

Showing his duel threat abilities and doing some of the dirty work, blocking for his teammates on touchdown drives, the former Bruin has well exceeded expectations from his fifth round selection pedigree. 

Though many quarterbacks were selected ahead of the UCLA product, Thompson-Robinson has been one of the heralded stories of the preseason. 

In what many consider to be the hardest position in all of sports, DTR has proven as cool as the other side of the pillow in his transition to the pros. 

Given an enhanced opportunity now, should Watson become hurt, the former Bruin will have his chances to start some games when they start counting toward records in just a few weeks.