Describing this season as disappointing for the Cleveland Browns is an understatement. Yet, some fans might wonder:
What were you expecting?
This team staked its future on quarterback Deshaun Watson, and predictably, that gamble has gone disastrously wrong. Watson not only appears to be a shadow of his former self, grappling with a variety of off-field issues, but he is also on injured reserve and unable to play even if he wanted to.
While there are many complexities surrounding Watson, one thing is clear: the Browns need to explore alternatives for 2025 that do not involve him.
With the seventh pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cleveland has the option to select a rookie next spring. If the draft order remains unchanged, they likely couldn’t snag Shedeur Sanders, but might have a chance at prospects like Cam Ward or Jalen Milroe.
However, are those options worth the investment? This upcoming class is considered weaker than previous years, leading many analysts to believe teams will lean towards acquiring a veteran quarterback rather than relying on a rookie.
In the context of the Browns, an insider believes that’s the direction they should take. On the latest episode of the MMQB Podcast, Breer and Conor Orr suggested that Cleveland ought to shy away from drafting a rookie quarterback.
“They’ll evaluate draft quarterbacks, but another possibility could be pursuing a reclamation project… like this year’s Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield,” Breer mentioned.
“Maybe that’s Justin Fields?” he speculated.
This idea for the Browns isn’t necessarily flawed. The Steelers are unlikely to retain Fields in the offseason, possibly opting to keep Russell Wilson for an additional year or two. Meanwhile, Fields will enter free agency for the first time as his rookie contract wraps up.
He has considerable starting experience, although he appeared in just six games in 2024 after Wilson regained his starting position once healthy.
Fields still has great potential as a starting quarterback. While his passing skills may not rank among the league’s elite, he could thrive in the right system. His ability to use his legs is something the Browns desperately need, particularly since they have struggled with their ground game since Nick Chubb’s decline.
With Fields only turning 26 in March, he has a lot of football ahead of him. If head coach Kevin Stefanski remains in place, as many expect he will, this pairing could be a promising one.
