Outlook on the Browns’ Quarterback Situation

Although many, myself included, didn’t hold a positive view of Watson as a person, nobody deserves the treatment he got from the “fans” after getting injured last Sunday. I don’t want to defend his past actions in any way and still believe the trade, and especially Watson’s contract, were morally flawed. However, cheering for someone’s injury and booing while they’re in pain on the floor is behavior nobody deserves, regardless of their past. Also, I would love to know how people would’ve reacted to that injury if the Browns were 6-1 and on their way to the playoffs. While Watson is certainly out for the season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he already played his last snap for the Browns. Although his contract is going to complicate matters, I believe it’s about time for a change in the Browns’ quarterback situation.

Watson certainly wasn’t a bright spot on this offense, but blaming him as the only problem would be misleading. The offensive line, although battling injuries, had struggled significantly in every aspect of the game, and there have been costly drops from the pass-catchers. By trading away Amari Cooper, the organization clearly signaled that winning this year may no longer be the priority. The focus for the rest of the season will be on re-evaluating the roster, particularly the younger players. Promoting DTR to QB2 before the Bengals game further clarified this shift, indicating that the Browns are interested in assessing his potential. Despite all these circumstances, there are still 10 games left to play this season and several options for the Browns to consider regarding their quarterback situation.

Jameis Winston

Although he lacks the mobility of DTR or Watson, Jameis Winston would provide this offense with a deep passing game. The last time this team had a functioning deep passing game was under Joe Flacco, who averaged 323.2 passing yards over his five regular season starts. For context, since Watson arrived in Cleveland, he hasn’t thrown for more than 289 yards in any game and hasn’t even reached 200 yards this season. Again, I don’t want to make Watson the scapegoat for the offense’s struggles, but deep passing has been an area where he’s clearly had difficulties. Even when downfield options were available, he often missed badly or didn’t even consider them at all. In his one drive against Cincinnati, Winston demonstrated his ability to read the field and take calculated risks, giving his receivers chances to make plays. He threw 2-3 catchable balls on throws that we haven’t even seen Watson attempt.

With 10 years in the league and 80 starts under his belt, Winston might offer the Browns the best chance to compete. He’s faced plenty of adversity in his career, from being let go by Tampa to losing his starting job with the Saints due to injuries, proving he’s no stranger to tough situations. Winston is a talented QB and exceptional leader who, at just 30, still has some gas left in the tank. In this scenario, there could be an opportunity for Winston to serve as a bridge starter while the Browns continue to address their quarterback situation through the draft. If Cleveland can create some cap flexibility, there may even be an opportunity to reinforce the offensive line and receiving corps this offseason, building a somewhat competitive team around Winston on a team-friendly deal.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson

While DTR definitely had his struggles in limited playing time, he occasionally made impressive throws that showed he belongs in the NFL. Similar to Watson, DTR adds a dimension to this offense as a running threat, allowing the play-caller to incorporate RPOs and designed runs. However, DTR struggled with accuracy beyond the sticks and ball security last season, recording 4 interceptions and 2 recovered fumbles across his 3 starts. These issues persisted into 2024, as he threw 2 interceptions and had another recovered fumble in roughly one half of last week’s game, though the first interception wasn’t entirely his fault. He displayed accuracy on predetermined and quick reads, but often appeared overwhelmed when having to react to the defense post-snap, especially under pressure. Additionally, I’d also love to see him add more touch to his passes, as he tends to put a little too much zip on his throws.

If the Browns decide to move on from Deshaun Watson as their starter in 2025 and Winston can’t find his rhythm this year, it would make sense to give DTR another chance with more preparation. Considering the potentially very bad cap situation – depending on whether Watson’s injury or another possible suspension frees up any space – this organization is likely headed toward another major rebuild. With two more years remaining on his rookie deal, DTR would give Cleveland the flexibility to allocate resources elsewhere to strengthen the roster. If he doesn’t prove to be more than a backup, the Browns would likely continue gathering assets to invest in a future franchise QB. Either way, starting DTR would probably be the final nail in the coffin, signaling an extensive rebuild in Cleveland.

Options Going Forward

Given the extensive uncertainty surrounding the Browns’ future, there are numerous possible outcomes for their quarterback situation. While there is a world in which Watson returns as the starter at some point in 2025, I don’t believe that’s the most likely scenario. Depending on how the rest of this season unfolds for Cleveland, as well as possible upcoming trades, I’d expect the Browns to treat 2025 as a year to regroup. Nevertheless, one name worth keeping an eye on in the offseason is J.J. McCarthy. As I doubt the Vikings will let Sam Darnold walk after the season he’s currently having, McCarthy might become available. With a relatively weaker QB class in the 2025 draft, McCarthy might be the most promising young QB available. Since he’s still a raw talent, giving him another year to develop while continuing to build the roster could be a fitting path for the Browns.

Given the numerous uncertainties around this roster and potentially the coaching staff, it seems more likely we won’t see a major QB acquisition before the 2026 season. While it’s still too early to tell, a few intriguing names, like Arch Manning or Nico Iamaleava, are emerging in the 2026 draft class. With the way this season is going, the Browns could have premium draft capital to leverage in 2026, potentially allowing them to secure a top QB with an improved roster in place. After the impact of the Deshaun Watson trade and contract, another significant veteran acquisition seems unlikely. As for bridge starters, Winston seems to be the best available option that doesn’t require significant trade compensation or financial investments. While the competitive window was fun while it lasted, Browns fans might be in for a more familiar rebuilding phase over the next few years again.


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