The Browns find themselves at a crossroads ahead of the 2025 NFL season and it seems as though one of their four quarterbacks could pay the price as reports tip Cleveland to trade them away.
The team boats an unusually crowded quarterback room that includes veteran Joe Flacco, recent acquisition Kenny Pickett, and rookie prospects Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
With four potential Week 1 options under contract, and NFL teams rarely carrying more than three quarterbacks, speculation is mounting that one of them could soon be shopping for property somewhere outside of Ohio.
NFL insider Jeremy Fowler added fuel to this narrative during an appearance on ESPN Cleveland, suggesting the Browns could be viewing their quarterback depth “like currency” given the high rate of quarterback injuries across the league.
I still think they look at quarterback pieces like currency,” Fowler said. “So if someone goes down in training camp, like there’s an injury, they have somebody that they can trade.
“Maybe it’s Pickett, maybe it’s one of the rookies… but I have a hard time thinking they keep four on the roster. I think it might be three…”
While Flacco is widely seen as the likely starter, bringing postseason experience and recent success, they could also make him an attractive prospect for the likes of the New Orleans Saints.
Gabriel, picked from the Oregon Ducks, is a more traditional pocket passer, and Sanders, from the Colorado Buffaloes, is known for his mobility and leadership. Both offer unique skillsets that could help franchises continue ticking over.
So considering all of that, it is Kenny Pickett, who underwhelmed with the Pittsburgh Steelers before landing in Cleveland, who appears most vulnerable – despite only just arriving in March.
One fan commented, “Me thinks Kenny Pickett will end up the odd man out.”
A second said, “Duh.”
And another analyst said, “Shedeur Sanders may be a rookie, but the buzz surrounding his leadership and chemistry within the locker room is already notable.”
Watson won’t be traded
Notably absent from trade discussions is Deshaun Watson. The former Pro Bowl quarterback is recovering from multiple Achilles injuries, and his massive $230 million fully guaranteed contract runs through 2027 is far from attractive.
Since joining Cleveland in 2022, the 29-year-old has played just 19 games and thrown 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, a far cry from the franchise quarterback the Browns had hoped for.
Although he recently shed his walking boot, his timeline for return remains uncertain. More concerning are the back-to-back Achilles injuries he suffered in less than three months, raising questions about his long-term durability.
Combine those medical issues with ongoing off-field controversies and financial constraints, and Watson becomes virtually untradeable. Ironically, his spot in Cleveland is probably the safest one.
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