Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry opened up about what a potential QB addition could look like for the franchise this offseason
Speaking at the NFL's Annual Meetings in Phoenix, AZ, Berry addressed the fact that Cleveland hasn't yet added anyone to their QB room this offseason and made it clear that could change. If it does, Berry made it known any addition would skew younger.
"Our lean would be if we do add someone to the quarterback room, it would be someone who's a younger player most likely," Berry said. "But I can't state that definitively because I don't know what the next couple of weeks will hold."
Berry will have an opportunity to do just that at the NFL Draft in late April, if he so chooses. And there's already been plenty of speculation about the Browns' interest in one of the top QBs in the class, Alabama's Ty Simpson.
Cleveland hosted Simpson for one of their top 30 pre-draft visits last month. He also has a preexisting relationship with new head coach Todd Monken who recruited him when he was an OC at Georgia, adding some intrigue to his NFL pursuits.
Berry didn't shy away from the fact that they're doing their homework on the Crimson Tide signal caller.
"You can understand we wouldn't necessarily comment on specific prospects," he said. "I have spent time with Ty. I think that's obvious and we'll continue to do so. But I think he has a bright NFL future."
It's unclear at this stage just how serious the Browns are about drafting Simpson. Or where they'd consider doing so, with nine total picks, including two firsts at their disposal.
Adding a young QB also doesn't necessarily have to come via the draft. Berry could look to trade for one or scour what's left on the free agent market.
One thing the Browns key decision maker made very clear, though, is that anyone they potentially bring in would step right into the open competition the team is expected to have at quarterback, which right now includes incumbent QBs Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
"I think it's wholly realistic," said Berry. "In terms of them competing for the starting job, anyone we bring in, we want to compete. But a large part of that will be, for any young player, will depend on their acclamation to the NFL and their readiness to play, and that's really done on a case-by-case basis."
For now, everything is status quo for the Browns QB room. But Berry seemed to paint a picture that it's a very fluid situation right now, both in terms of adding to it and who will ultimately be named the starter by Monken.
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