The Cleveland Browns quarterbacks room was a mess in 2023. Thinking they had finally found their long-sought-after franchise quarterback, Deshaun Watson disappointed Browns faithful everywhere. He never looked comfortable in the offense when healthy, then sustained a mysterious shoulder injury that never got right. He looked his best in his midseason return, culminating in an inspiring, perfect second-half comeback against the Baltimore Ravens.
In all, the team would start five quarterbacks before the 2023 season wrapped up. That included former Raven Joe Flacco, who quickly endeared himself to the Cleveland fanbase with a December to remember. Ultimately, Flacco would be named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. It seemed a shoo-in the Browns would resign him… until they didn’t.
The 2024 Cleveland Browns Quarterbacks Room
Of the five Cleveland Browns quarterbacks who started for the team in 2023, only two remain with the team eight months later: Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Thompson-Robinson was the team’s fifth-round choice in 2023 and was widely expected to sit at the end of the bench to develop. But he wowed the Browns brass with his poise and athleticism during the preseason, prompting General Manager Andrew Berry to ship out the remainder of his competition and elevate the rookie to QB2.
When Watson was unexpectedly unavailable to start in the Week 4 tilt against the Ravens, Thompson-Robinson was forced into his first NFL start. This came at least two – if not three – years too early, and it showed. He didn’t look much better when he got his next chance two months later, although he played just well enough to win. He sustained a concussion the next week and then a hip injury a month later, which ended his season.
Thompson-Robinson missed much of the offseason program while rehabbing from his hip injury. There are also still some lingering questions about his frame. He’s listed at 6-2, 203 pounds, which seems generous. Realistically, he probably weighs 20 pounds under that, and his sleight frame may not be up to the NFL pounding.
New Kids on the Block
Thompson-Robinson’s injury and body questions clearly weighed on the minds of the Browns brass as well. To that end, they brought in competition for the QB3 spot in the form of former Raven Tyler Huntley. Huntley has been two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson’s understudy for the last several years. He has been serviceable if unspectacular when called upon. He was oddly – and controversially – named to the AFC’s Pro Bowl squad in 2022. Yet, somehow, he could only garner a one-year deal at veteran minimum for this season.
Huntley is joined by former first-overall choice Jameis Winston. Winston’s athletic gifts are unquestioned, but he has had decision-making issues in his 10-year career. In 2019 – his last year as a starter – Winston racked up over 5,000 yards in the air with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But his competition percentage of 60.7% was far below the NFL average. His 33 touchdowns were also offset by his 30 picks. Like Huntley, he was serviceable as a backup with the Saints, but his decision-making was roughly the same.
So… Who Makes the 2024 Cleveland Browns Quarterbacks Room?
Watson entered training camp as the unquestioned QB1. But rumors persist that the Cleveland Browns are looking for a way out. Watson was guaranteed nearly a quarter-billion dollars after joining the team two years ago but has played just 12 games and has been uneven at best. Watson has not yet been cleared to resume a full throwing schedule, even weeks into training camp. A rumor of Watson’s imminent trade to the New York Giants has been making the rounds the last couple of days. This seems far-fetched given the money still owed Watson – the Browns would eat an unprecedented amount of cap room to ship him out. It seems more prudent for the team to continue its gamble…for now.
With the preseason games still ahead, it’s possible that any of the three remaining quarterbacks could be cut or traded before the season opener, which is just more than a month away. Winston seems to be the safest, though he’s also the oldest and the most expensive. Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski also prizes decision-making ability when it comes to his signal callers, and Winston’s remains questionable. That said, he’s the most experienced by far. It seems likely that the Browns will not make the same mistake this year that they did last.
Battle For Number Three
That leaves Huntley and Thompson-Robinson fighting it out for the last spot. It’s likely that neither would survive the waiver wire to be reassigned to the practice squad. Huntley has the edge in experience, but it seems likely that he was added as an insurance policy against both Watson’s and Thompson-Robinson’s injuries and lack of participation in OTAs.
Therefore, look for the Browns to trade Huntley sometime later in August. Thompson-Robinson has looked sharp so far in camp, and Berry likes to see things through with his draft choices. Huntley should net some form of draft choice compensation, as he’s proven himself good enough to be a backup in today’s NFL. It’s a good position for the Browns and a far cry from the mess they found themselves in last year.
Main Image: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports
