The Cleveland Browns have a quarterback problem. We’ve known this for quite some time, but now their ownership has finally admitted that they were in the wrong for trading for Deshaun Watson. Watson signed a five-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million, but since being acquired from the Houston Texans, he has not lived up to expectations. Injuries have plagued his time in Cleveland, and when he has played, his performances have been far from elite. Over the past three seasons, he has failed to play more than eight games in a season, throwing for fewer than 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns. Simply put, the Browns are stuck.
Meanwhile, former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has found success with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, deciding to part ways with him even more painful in hindsight. Now, with Watson set to miss the entire 2025 season after re-tearing his Achilles, Cleveland faces a crucial decision at quarterback. With limited cap space due to Watson’s contract, but an opportunity to move on soon, the Browns must carefully plan their next steps. Let’s analyze the best path forward for the Browns to finally find their franchise quarterback.
Option 1: Drafting a Quarterback
The Browns hold the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and this could be their chance to find a new franchise quarterback. However, the draft landscape suggests that the Tennessee Titans are likely to select Cam Ward at No. 1 overall. That would leave the Browns with Shedeur Sanders as the only remaining top-tier QB prospect in the draft.
There has been little indication that Cleveland is seriously considering Sanders. Sanders is a player I have my reservations about as well, being taken within the top five later this month seems like a risky move for any franchise. Given the opportunity to draft a generational talent like Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, they should not hesitate. This approach would prioritize building the roster before making a move for a franchise quarterback in a stronger 2026 draft class.
If the Browns do pass on a QB at No. 2, they could look to the second round for options such as Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe. Both quarterbacks have upside but come with significant question marks. Dart has struggled with processing defenses, while Milroe is an elite athlete but lacks refined passing skills. Investing in these unproven prospects might not be the best use of draft capital given the Browns’ numerous other roster needs, including offensive line, running back, and safety.
Option 2: Kenny Pickett as the Starter
The Browns made a trade this offseason to acquire Kenny Pickett, sending away Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR) and a pick in the process. Pickett, a former first-round pick, failed to solidify himself as the long-term answer for the Pittsburgh Steelers and later served as a backup in Philadelphia before winning a Super Bowl ring.
While Pickett flashed some potential in relief duty for the Eagles, his time in Pittsburgh raises concerns. He struggled with processing defenses, and his production was inconsistent. The Browns’ offensive roster lacks the stability of Philadelphia’s system, meaning Pickett would have to elevate his play significantly to succeed.
Cleveland could view Pickett as an experimental upside play rather than a true bridge quarterback, but expecting him to be the long-term answer is unrealistic. If he starts in 2025, the Browns might still find themselves in QB purgatory a year from now.
Option 3: Adding a Veteran
The most logical path forward for Cleveland is embracing the bridge quarterback strategy. This means signing or trading for a veteran quarterback to hold down the position in 2025 while the Browns focus on roster development. The team has already been linked to veteran options such as Carson Wentz, Trey Lance, and potentially Kirk Cousins if he becomes available.
Kirk Cousins is the most intriguing option. Though no longer in his prime, he is a proven veteran who could provide stability and leadership in a difficult transitional period. A competent veteran presence could help the Browns stay competitive in 2025 while keeping them in position for a top-tier quarterback in the 2026 draft.
Other veterans like Carson Wentz could bring some excitement but come with risks. Wentz has flashed high-level ability at times, but he has been wildly inconsistent since his near-MVP season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, pairing Wentz or another veteran with Pickett could allow the Browns to field a functional offense without committing to a long-term mistake.
Which Quarterbacks Are Available in 2026?
One major reason the Browns should consider passing on a quarterback in 2025 is the strength of the 2026 class. Next year’s draft could feature top-tier quarterback prospects like Arch Manning, Drew Allar, and Nico Iamaleava. NFL Draft Buzz does a great job of breaking down individual prospects ahead of the draft, and I attached a quote from their breakdowns of each prospect’s potential upside.
Arch Manning
“Manning represents the rare prospect who combines blue-chip physical tools with an elite football pedigree and natural feel for the position. His combination of arm talent, athleticism, and advanced mental processing hints at a ceiling that could surpass even his Hall of Fame uncles.”
Drew Allar
“In a league where quarterback talent drives success, Allar projects as the kind of prospect teams will position themselves to select at the top of the 2026 draft. With another year to refine his mechanics and processing speed in a familiar system, he has the potential to enter the draft as one of the most complete quarterback prospects in recent years. His blend of physical tools, rapidly improving mental acumen, and proven ability to make significant year-over-year improvements gives him franchise-altering potential at the next level.”
Nico Iamaleava
“The NFL comparison that keeps coming to mind when studying Iamaleava is Justin Herbert – another tall, athletic QB who can make jaw-dropping throws look routine. Like Herbert coming out of Oregon, Iamaleava has shown enough pure talent to make scouts drool while still having room to grow in terms of consistency and decision-making. His ability to stress defenses both vertically and horizontally gives him scheme versatility that will appeal to creative offensive minds.”
All three prospects have generated insane buzz ahead of 2026 and rightfully so with their skillsets. The 2026 class is much stronger than the 2025 class, and you could argue that each of these guys could be QB1 this year.
The Best Path Forward
The Deshaun Watson experiment is over, and the Browns must now chart a new course at quarterback. The best approach for Cleveland is to avoid reaching for a quarterback in 2025 and instead focus on adding elite talent with their second overall pick. Rolling with a bridge quarterback—whether it’s Kirk Cousins, Carson Wentz, or another veteran alongside Kenny Pickett—would allow the Browns to remain competitive while setting themselves up for a much stronger QB draft class in 2026.
While it may be frustrating for fans to endure another year of uncertainty at quarterback, the long-term benefits of building a stronger roster first outweigh the risks of rushing into another potential mistake. By taking this measured approach, the Browns can finally escape quarterback purgatory and build a sustainable winner in Cleveland.