So, what's our plan again at QB1?
We have "a concept of a plan" at QB1.
I don't think Winston will be brought back. The guy is fun to watch and his interviews are entertaining AF, but everyone in the NFL knows what he is. He's a QB who is has a great arm but his mental game is lacking. He is a true Jekyll/Hyde type QB. No HC in the NFL would be comfortable having to start him for a full season.
DTR is a total question mark still. Stefanski said it was "week to week" in his presser yesterday, but they should start DTR these final 3 games. Even if that happens, they may be evaluating if he can be a solid backup and not necessarily the starter next year.
Watson... ugh, what can we say? He's looked like pure garbage since they trotted him on the field. I feel they've exhausted every avenue they can to help him out. I think the mental toll of the lawsuits plus all the time he spent off the field has destroyed him. Plus, as I said in another thread, he never wanted to be here in the first place. The minute he said "no", the Browns should have walked away, but certain doors were opened by that point that they couldn't walk back through. That's a discussion for another thread though.
The way I see it is they will have to bring in an average veteran QB for cheap. Names like Fields, Lance, Wilson (Zach) will be thrown around. They'll most likely bring DTR back as well, but I could also see a later round QB taken in the draft. Watson unfortunately isn't going anywhere because of his contract. The soonest they could cut him would be 2026 and they'll still eat a post June 1st cap hit of $72.9M.
So I think a realistic QB room in 2025 is a cheap vet, DTR/later round QB pick, and Watson when he is fully recovered.
Basically this year, but worse.
