The news Friday that Deshaun Watson will likely miss “significant time” in the 2025 season because he re-ruptured his Achilles tendon only confirmed what was already known.
The Cleveland Browns are going to be in the market for a quarterback.
Not just any quarterback, mind you. They’re in the market for a starting quarterback.
That was fact before Watson needed another surgery on Thursday. It’s most certainly fact now.
So, who will be that quarterback? The Browns probably already have an idea, but there are still weeks, if not months, to go before they get to turn that idea into action.
What are the pathways to getting that quarterback? There are several potential ones.
Here’s an early look at the various ways they could go, as well as potential options within each of those pathways, with a couple listed in multiple spots. All of this, obviously, comes with still weeks to go before the Super Bowl, let alone the start of free agency or the draft.
Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers and the potential cut candidates
This is the pathway that has become one of the most popular if you listen to the sports-talk callers and various social-media commenters. That’s because they’ve watched what the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to do this season by signing Russell Wilson to a veteran minimum after the Denver Broncos had dumped him and ate the two years worth of $85 million in dead money.
Here are the quarterbacks who could be available by this route, listed alphabetically:
- Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
- Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
- Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets
Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders and the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft
It’s hard not to envision this at least being part of the plan. Even if the Browns do come up with a veteran option — and it’s really difficult not to see that happening — their hope is to not be picking this high in the draft anytime soon after this year.
The way to do that would be to get their own franchise quarterback. The best way to do that is to draft one — assuming that quarterback is taken with the No. 2 pick in the draft the Browns possess this year.
The reality is there are only two potential options at that pick, at least heading into the post-college season/pre-draft process:
- Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
- Cam Ward, Miami (Fla.)
Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and a wide-open free-agent class
This would be the simplest route to go because of the quantity of options.
Of course, a couple of major caveats come into play. Teams typically don’t allow the really, really good quarterbacks to even get to free agency. The ones who do get there are going to cost an eight-figure price tag for at least one season’s worth of work. The price point at which the Browns want to shop could make for a varied collection of quarterbacks.
Anyway, if the Browns are going to go shopping for starting-caliber quarterbacks, here are a few options, listed alphabetically:
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Jacoby Brissett
- Sam Darnold
- Justin Fields
- Joe Flacco
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Daniel Jones
- Mac Jones
- Cooper Rush
- Jameis Winston
Geno Smith and another trip on the trade train
The Browns find themselves in this position because of a big swing they took in 2022 in sending three first-round picks, among others, to the Houston Texans to get Watson.
That kind of package wouldn’t be what the Browns would want to, or need to, send to another team to get the quarterback they’d be seeking.
So, what quarterbacks may be realistically available for trade this offseason? Here are potential candidates, listed alphabetically:
- Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
- Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
- J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
- Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Chris Easterling can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
