The Cleveland Browns can get their franchise QB next offseason.
The Cleveland Browns are considered a prime candidate to pursue a franchise QB next offseason.
NFL analyst Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes the Browns can find their future franchise QB in 2027.
"When you have four quarterbacks entering an open competition, you don't have a clear starter, and Deshaun Watson is reportedly emerging as the early offseason front‑runner, which should be a major concern for the Cleveland Browns," Knox wrote.
The Browns can either select a QB in the 2027 NFL Draft or trade for one next offseason unless Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel plays like a superstar in 2026.
The odds of Watson turning back the clock and playing like the star he was with the Houston Texans are very, very low.
Suspension and injuries have limited Watson to 19 games since he arrived in Cleveland. Since making his Browns debut, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR, which would be the lowest among qualified passers.
A Clemson product, Watson has 3,365 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns with Cleveland. He's thrown 12 interceptions.
Watson has 17,904 passing yards and 123 passing touchdowns in the NFL with the Houston Texans and Browns. He was the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft.
It's worth noting that the Browns restructured Watson's contract at the start of this month. Cleveland freed up close to $36 million in cap space and made the team cap compliant.
Watson, who did not play in 2025 while rehabbing an Achilles tear sustained in the 2024 season, was set to have an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026, the largest in the NFL.
Sanders finished his rookie season with 1,400 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 169 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He went 3-4 as a starter.
Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement selection. He's one of the most popular players in the NFL because of who his dad is: Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
Cleveland went 5-12 last season. Todd Monken replaces Kevin Stefanski, who was fired and joined the Atlanta Falcons as their new HC.
Along with Watson and Sanders, the Browns have Gabriel in the QB room. Gabriel finished his rookie season with 937 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns and two interceptions before getting benched for Sanders. The lefty completed only 59.5% of his passes and went 1-5 as a starter.
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