The Cleveland Browns find themselves once again in dire need of a quarterback, a recurring issue for the franchise spanning decades. This situation has become even more pressing due to the uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson’s future and his significant financial burden on the team. Watson, who is under contract for 2025, carries a massive $72.9 million cap hit and is unlikely to play the full season, leaving the Browns searching for both immediate and long-term solutions at the position.
While Watson remains on the roster for at least another year or two, it has become increasingly evident that he is not the franchise’s answer at quarterback. This has led analysts to speculate about potential replacements, including both veteran quarterbacks and incoming rookies. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Browns could be considering multiple options to address their ongoing quarterback dilemma.
Speaking on GameDay before the Super Bowl, Pelissero suggested that even if Watson were fully healthy, Cleveland would strongly consider selecting a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft. He named Washington’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders as two potential prospects the team could target. However, the Browns may not stop there. Pelissero also mentioned that Cleveland could pursue a veteran quarterback in free agency, with Kirk Cousins and Daniel Jones being among the possible candidates.
Given the severity of their quarterback struggles, the Browns might opt to bring in not just one but two quarterbacks—one through the draft and another via free agency. This approach could allow them to secure a young signal-caller for the future while also having an experienced veteran serve as a bridge quarterback or mentor. History has shown that teams have found success by initially sitting rookie quarterbacks and allowing them to develop before taking over as full-time starters. Recent examples include Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, and Justin Herbert, all of whom spent time learning before stepping into starting roles.
Cleveland faces a pivotal offseason where they must make the right moves to transition away from the Watson era smoothly. Whether they choose to invest in a top rookie quarterback, sign a veteran, or both, the Browns cannot afford to make missteps in their ongoing search for stability under center.
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