The Cleveland Browns find themselves in a familiar spot heading into the 2025 NFL offseason – the quarterback market.
Deshaun Watson could end up missing the entire 2025 season after rupturing his right Achilles for a second time in just a few months. The initial tear came on Oct. 20, during the team’s Week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Then on Jan. 10, the Browns announced Watson’s setback, putting next season in jeopardy.
With that question left unanswered, the Browns could ultimately turn to the NFL draft for a signal caller this offseason.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the options during his press conference and additional media availability on Wednesday at the NFL combine, saying he was impressed with the quarterbacks.
‘This is a really good class from top all the way through,’ Stefanski told reporters. ‘(We) mentioned Cam (Ward) and Shedeur (Sanders), but there’s really good players like throughout this draft at that position. I could go through some other positions, but I’m impressed with the whole group.’
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Stefanski went on to defend the class further and the idea that it is an underwhelming group of quarterbacks.
‘As we consume the draft, and there’s a lot to consume, I think there’s always narratives people are putting out, but I don’t think those guys are very concerned with whatever those narratives might be,’ Stefanski said.
The coach also noted that they aren’t close to having a decision despite owning the No. 2 pick in the draft.
‘This is a process,’ Stefanski said. ‘It’s one thing to watch the tape, and then you got to get to know them, and you got to make phone calls on them. Then you got to get to their pro day. There’s so much that goes into this evaluation, and we’re in the middle of it. We’re not there yet.’
However, he dismissed the idea of needing a ‘franchise quarterback’ label to justify drafting a player at the position that high.
‘Obviously, if you’re taking a guy there, you believe in him to be a guy that can be your franchise quarterback, quote-unquote. But, you know, we’re just looking for a good player that fits us,’ Stefanski said.
That remained the common theme throughout the coach’s time with the media on Wednesday. He repeatedly expressed that building a roster is about tailoring the system for the players rather than being rigid. Stefanski suggested that they need to adapt to the players and obstacles throughout the season, making that a necessity.
The Browns have a variety of roads they can travel this offseason to solve the quarterback spot between the draft, free agency and more.
‘I think we’re obviously looking in a bunch of different areas there,’ Stefanski said. ‘There’s some really exciting young players in this draft that you’re looking at. There’s obviously work to be done in free agency and all those types of things, but I think we’re looking in all avenues if you will.’
As for Watson, it’s unclear where he fits in going forward. The quarterback has not only struggled on the field during game action but also found difficulty remaining healthy enough to compete.
He’s played in just 19 games over that three-year span, posting a 9-10 record since arriving via trade in 2022. It’s a move that’s widely considered to be among the worst in NFL history.
The Browns ever-growing list of quarterbacks looks primed to grow by at least one this offseason. The franchise will hope it’s the last name they add for a while.