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While the NFL world obsesses over Aaron Rodgers’ next move and whether the Pittsburgh Steelers or New York Giants will land Russell Wilson as their backup plan, there’s a team flying under the radar with its own quarterback drama.
The Cleveland Browns desperately need someone reliable under center. Deshaun Watson is still working his way back from a ruptured Achilles that ended his 2024 campaign early. (And let’s be honest — even when Watson was on the field, he wasn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard.)
GM Andrew Berry has already started reshuffling his quarterback room. On March 12, he swapped Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Kenny Pickett, the former first-rounder who never found his footing in Pittsburgh. While this initially seemed like Cleveland’s insurance policy if Watson isn’t ready for Week 1, Berry might not be finished quarterback shopping.
Browns looking at Carson Wentz as potential option
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports that the Browns and free agent QB Carson Wentz have “mutual interest” in joining forces — with one major catch.
Everything hinges on the Rodgers situation. Until the Jets quarterback makes his decision, Wilson remains in limbo, and teams like Cleveland can’t finalize their plans. Berry is reportedly making a push for Wilson, trying to lure him away from both the Steelers and Giants.
It’s all one big waiting game.
If Wilson signs elsewhere, the Browns appear ready to pivot to Wentz, who’d compete with Pickett for the backup job. The 32-year-old spent last season holding a clipboard behind Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, earning a Super Bowl ring without taking a meaningful snap.
Should Cleveland bring in Wentz, they’d be passing over two veterans with recent Browns experience — Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston would both remain on the free agent market. Flacco, of course, led the Browns to the playoffs in 2023 during Watson’s absence, winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
The draft adds another layer of intrigue. Cleveland holds the No. 2 overall pick and could theoretically trade up for Miami QB Cam Ward, though the Titans seem locked in on him at No. 1. More likely, they’ll stay put and take Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter or Colorado’s versatile Travis Hunter. Don’t completely rule out Berry making a surprise move for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, either.
When the dust settles, Cleveland could enter the season with an injured Watson atop the depth chart, followed by Pickett and Wentz — hardly the quarterback room that championship dreams are built on. But when you’re paying your starter $230 million guaranteed and he can’t stay on the field, your options are severely limited.
