The regular season hasn’t started, and the Cleveland Browns are already surprising the world with their quarterback room. The team carried four big-name quarterbacks throughout the offseason in Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley, and 2023 fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and most assumed that Cleveland would cut or trade at least one of those players before Tuesday’s roster deadline. Instead, the team chose to carry all four, but that might not be the case for long.
Historically speaking, teams do not carry this many quarterbacks, especially when Deshaun Watson’s contract ensures he will be the starter for as long as he’s healthy. The 2000 Patriots famously kept four quarterbacks during Tom Brady’s rookie season, but that is the exception to the rule. According to Jordan Schultz, the Browns will make a quarterback move, but it won’t involve Jameis Winston.
Sources: The #Browns never discussed trading or moving on from Jameis Winston. Cleveland is expected to make a quarterback move today, but it won’t involve Winston. pic.twitter.com/ceJg5H4s71
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 28, 2024
Cleveland probably won’t trade Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and they wouldn’t find a suitor for Deshaun Watson and his team-killing contract. So, by process of elimination, Tyler Huntley is the most likely candidate for a trade. The former Pro Bowler can be a reliable short-term starter in the right environment and could land with either the Baltimore Ravens or Los Angeles Chargers.
Ravens, Chargers Could Trade For Tyler Huntley
Tyler Huntley first made a name for himself with the Baltimore Ravens, so it stands to reason that the team could trade for his services. An undrafted free agent, Huntley saw extended playing time in 2021 and 2022 while filling in for an injured Lamar Jackson. While he obviously couldn’t replicate the two-time MVP’s success, Huntley proved that he could keep the offense moving at a reasonable level. During his four years in Baltimore, the Utah product completed 64.6% of his passes for 1,957 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions while adding another 509 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
Nobody thinks Tyler Huntley is anything more than a reliable backup, but that could still justify a trade. If Jackson suffered an injury and had to miss a few weeks, the fate of the Ravens would rest in the hands of career journeyman Josh Johnson. The longtime NFL veteran has seemingly played on every team in the league but has never found a long-term home. Johnson might be a great locker room presence, but he cannot lead an offense like Huntley can.
More Competition For Los Angeles
Just like the Ravens, the Los Angeles Chargers have an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert and not much else. Easton Stick performed as well as could be expected in relief last season, but Los Angeles still lost every game he started. He’s still the backup quarterback for the time being, but a Tyler Huntley trade could change matters. After all, Stick barely beat out spring football phenomenon Luis Perez, so Jim Harbaugh and friends probably aren’t too high on him.
A Tyler Huntley trade makes all the sense in the world when you remember Greg Roman is the offensive coordinator. Roman spent several years with the Baltimore Ravens and already brought over a few familiar faces in Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Nobody is challenging Herbert for the starting job, but Huntley would be a great insurance policy if Herbert goes down or re-aggravates his plantar fascia injury.
Main Photo: Joe Nicholson – USA Today Sports
