When given the chance to share a plan for who the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback will be next season, general manager Andrew Berry passed.
“Right now it’s what, Feb. 24?” Berry said at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday. “We don’t have to make that decision anytime soon. Any player we have in that room we would expect to compete to earn a role.”
The most talked about name in that quarterback room is Shedeur Sanders, who started seven games after he had an infamous draft fall to the fifth round.
The Browns could look into a free agent like Malik Willis or Kirk Cousins, or draft another quarterback this year, but as of now Sanders is a factor in the quarterback race after finishing last season as the starter.
“I think the biggest thing we want to see from Shedeur is continued growth,” Berry said. “I think he grew a lot from start one to start seven. Certainly playing more efficiently, not putting the ball in harm’s way as much would be important. While maintaining the ability to produce out of structure and generate explosive plays.”
Last season Sanders threw for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He looked good in a few games and struggled in others, which isn’t unusual for a rookie. But it’s clear that for Sanders to have a future in the NFL, he can’t turn the ball over as much as he did.
The Browns are many weeks from starting offseason practices, so the progress Sanders can make won’t be in live settings.
“You’re not going to see that in the upcoming months because we aren’t on the field, so the biggest thing he can do is learn the new offense, get in with the coaching staff once our offseason starts, continue to work on his body physically and then make strides when we actually get on the grass,” Berry said.
The Browns also have 2025 third-round pick Dillon Gabriel on the roster, and the team continues to push the idea that Deshaun Watson could still be a part of the quarterback solution.
“Deshaun has been working really hard, he’s been working his tail off,” Berry said.
Cleveland has plenty of other questions this offseason, including offensive line. All five of their starting linemen from last season are free agents, which presents a massive problem. But the quarterback situation gets the most attention. As of Feb. 24, the Browns aren’t willing to share what their plans at the position are.