Andrew Berry offers no timeline to name the Cleveland Browns' next quarterback, while keeping all options open to address the position this offseason
Anyone hoping for clarity on the Cleveland Browns quarterback situation didn't get it on Tuesday at the NFL Combine.
Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Andrew Berry, met with the media for his annual Combine Availability and, naturally, was peppered with questions about the quarterback position.
The only thing he really made clear, however, is that nothing is off the table.
"Right now it's what? February 24th," Berry asked when asked specifically if Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson would be the team's starting QB next season. "So we don't have to make that decision anytime soon. I think any player that we have in that room, we would expect to compete to earn a role. Those two would be no different."
His comments fall in line with those he shared one day after the 2025 season ended in early January. Back then, Berry asserted that he couldn't comfortably say whether the starting QB next season was on the roster or not.
That thought seems to be at the heart of how he and new head coach Todd Monken are approaching the position this offseason. While Sanders, Watson and Dillon Gabriel currently make up the Browns QB room, other options are likely to emerge.
"I think there's always the possibility, but we have a long way to go before we get to that point," Berry said in regards to adding another potential starter. "We expect to have a competitive room and that's important to us, but what that looks like, I can't exactly define that as we sit here today."
While rumors swirl that Cleveland could make a run at consensus top free agent signal caller Malik Willis. He represents, arguably, the most ready made option on the market to start immediately if signed.
Drafting one is also on the table, despite using two picks on quarterbacks last year to select Sanders and Gabriel. Even in what's considered a weaker QB class, Berry subscribes to the philosophy that it's always smart to use resources signal callers.
"It's the most important position," Berry said. "We wouldn't talk about it any differently if you're drafting an O-lineman or a D-lineman or something along those lines. I don't think that you can invest in it enough."
Berry made it abundantly clear that there is no rush to name a starter. Much like last year, he's also open to the QB situation revealing itself through an open competition. That's another thing the Browns GM isn't putting a timeline on.
"I think any player on our roster we would want to compete," he said. "We believe in competition at every spot. That's no different than quarterback."
From here, it's just a matter of who will be competing for the job come April? Right now, it may feel like Sanders and Watson are the leaders in the clubhouse, but Berry made it clear that Gabriel has not been forgotten internally.
Watson certainly has the most experience of the group, which could ultimately work in his favor. For now, though, the answer is simply, TBD.
"Deshaun's been working really hard; he's been working his tail off," Berry said. "And like I said, we're excited to go in April with all of our players across the roster because competition is something that we really believe in."
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