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NFL Rumors: Browns will change Deshaun Watson’s plan, want new QB to compete with veteran | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Posted on by L. Dreeye
NFL Rumors: Browns will change Deshaun Watson’s plan, want new QB to compete with veteran | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 20: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns watches the second quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on October 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Jason Miller/Getty Images

According to the MMQB’s Albert Breer, while the Cleveland Browns won’t give up on the Deshaun Watson experiment this offseason, they may change their approach to the quarterback position.

With the team at 3-8, Breer announced the Browns’ plan to retain head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry. The same is true for Watson, although with an important note.

“So far, the Browns have built the quarterback room to support Watson,” Breer said. “This year they will try to use the draft and/or the veteran market to add competition to the room. So while the likelihood — due to injury and contract — is that Watson will return, the Browns are going to try to do more than just fill the backup spot.”

One could argue that Cleveland has already done this to some degree by signing Jameis Winston. He is no longer a full-time starter, but Winston is an experienced backup who will provide a clear alternative if Watson struggles.

Since becoming a starter, the 2015 Pro Bowler has thrown for 1,183 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. Those numbers already surpass Watson’s 1,148 yards and five touchdowns in seven starts.

Browns fans who aren’t calling for Winston to start in 2025 are advocating for some sort of QB change for next year based on how much better the offense looks.

Jim Rome @Jimrom

Think how great it is #Browns would have been if they didn’t waste time on Deshaun Watson and instead went straight to Jameis

Nick Pedone @NickPedone12

Al Michaels just said it.
Last year it was Joe Flacco. This year it’s Jameis Winston.
Deshaun Watson will NEVER be able to see the field for the Cleveland Browns again.

The Browns could go in some interesting directions in free agency if that’s where they want to add more depth at quarterback.

Sam Darnold (27) or Justin Fields (25) are young enough that either could be Watson’s long-term successor. Imagine the message the franchise would have sent if it had signed Russell Wilson instead, who even at this point in his career is an improvement over the three-time Pro Bowler.

Since acquiring Watson in 2022, Dorian Thompson-Robinson has become the only defensive tackle Cleveland has selected in the NFL Draft. If Berry were to use a day two pick (Thompson-Robinson was in the fifth round) for QB, then the front office would signal that it is at least exploring a possible future after Watson.

The 29-year-old’s fully guaranteed contract largely makes it impossible to move on from him now. Even designating it as a release after June 1 would put $118.9 million in dead money on the balance sheet by 2025.

But the Browns may recognize that Watson is a sunk cost at this point and begin weighing other QB options while keeping him on the roster.