I do not see going into this year with the current QB room as a viable plan.
DW needs no discussion we have seen him play and not play.
Gabriel and Sanders are later round selections that were drafted as projects. Low risk but also not regarded as solutions to the quarterback position.
That leaves free agency, trade and the draft if a quarterback is going to be added to the roster.
Trading for a quarterback is suspect because someone is ready to give up on a quarterback. Good quarterbacks are not traded often.
The draft this year has one guy who is considered a franchise type player.
We already have two quarterbacks who are later round picks on the roster. Bringing a third QB from later in the draft into the QB room seems redundant.
That leaves free agents. Willis seems like the best option IMO. I am not interested in the other guys who might be brought in.
I am not ready to hand the job to Sheduer, Gabriel, or DW. Willis adds competition with possible upside.
Willis on a two year deal seems like a good play. If we draft a guy in 2027 Willis or one of the others can act as a bridge.
I do not see going into this year with the current QB room as a viable plan.
DW needs no discussion we have seen him play and not play.
Gabriel and Sanders are later round selections that were drafted as projects. Low risk but also not regarded as solutions to the quarterback position.
That leaves free agency, trade and the draft if a quarterback is going to be added to the roster.
Trading for a quarterback is suspect because someone is ready to give up on a quarterback. Good quarterbacks are not traded often.
The draft this year has one guy who is considered a franchise type player.
We already have two quarterbacks who are later round picks on the roster. Bringing a third QB from later in the draft into the QB room seems redundant.
That leaves free agents. Willis seems like the best option IMO. I am not interested in the other guys who might be brought in.
I am not ready to hand the job to Sheduer, Gabriel, or DW. Willis adds competition with possible upside.
Willis on a two year deal seems like a good play. If we draft a guy in 2027 Willis or one of the others can act as a bridge.
For reasons pit laid out, especially the part about money he will get and our cap situation, it is highly unlikely Willis will be a Brown. so you might as well forget that idea.
Interesting to see the all in on SS - when statistically they performed at similar levels. Or Gabriel shaded it. Bear in mind that we all remember the big plays and pretty throws from SS - they stick in mind where as the stats just tell the real picture.... AND the competition that Gabriel faced (defences) was far superior to what SS faced.
We are kind of royally screwed. We aren't trading up to get Mendoza - it would take too much when the roster on offense is so depleted. Simpson and Nussmeier both would seem to fit Berry's track record of trying to find talent that was once considered high level and has since struggled. At the right slot in the draft I'd be happy with either one - but then you have 3 QB's all with "potential to improve".
I don't know which QB will prove to be NFL "ok" - but I would roll with Gabriel and Sanders. Trade back from 6 and pick up WR and OL... obviously in addition to building a questionable roster - Berry's Achilles heel in the draft appears to be OL and WR. Joy.
If we can't get a trade back to the middle of the 1st round and get a bounty for it - then pick Jordyn Tyson (or Tate) at 6 and then at 24 hopefully Kadyn Proctor or Monroe Freeling. . . . or if you want to flip that - Spencer Fano or Mauigoa at 6 and then hope Boston or Brazzell are available at 24.
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
After Mendoza the other quarterbacks do not look much different than Shedeur.
Unless they trade Gabriel drafting a QB in this draft does not make much sense to me.
Unless they are sold on Simpson.
Trading back if possible makes more sense. Get another first rounder in 2027. There are more guys to choose from in 2027.
They could go with Sanders, Gabriel and DW. But I do not believe they will.
Willis is different from the others. Cousins, Wilson, Fields, they are known guys. Willis has more potential. There is a chance he could be more than average.
Two year deal leaves the door open. If he proves to be good and outplays Sanders. Then you might have your guy. If he doesn't then maybe Shedeur is better than expected.
If none work out you draft a guy from a bigger selection of prospects in the 2027 draft.
Forget Mendoza and Simpson and look at some of these guys. There are more than a few who have better traits than either SS or DG...be it size, arm strength mobility, whatever. I'd like to take a flyer on either guy from CT or GT. If we are going to carry projects at QB, let's at least have one that has a special trait(s) that translates into success in the NFL.
Simpson might go in the mid first. The rest is up to the draft process.
Sanders and Gabriel are going into their second year.
DW is a veteran.
Willis is turning 27 in May and now has four years in the NFL.
He has gained enough experience now to find out what his true potential is. He came into the league from Liberty college and was drafted 85th overall. He hardly played with the Titans.
Started 3 games with GB. He either has learned and is now ready or he may never be ready? He played well when he played but has not played much.
Who knows what the Browns will do? Monken will have some say. We shall see.
I agree Willie. I mentioned this weeks ago on one of my posts. Take a guy later in the draft that at least looks like an NFL QB. A guy with size and arm strength so we don't have to question those traits. Draft one of them to replace one of the rookies we have, probably Dillon, and go from there. Will he work out, who knows but he would at least have the traits you look for. In the meantime use our higher picks for the OL and WR positions.
It really has nothing to do with what they're paying at the QB position. Even though DW's salary alone is crazy. It's about needs and cap space. It's about filling holes in areas of need with proven veterans in free agency or rolling the dice on an unproven QB and praying. You don't have that much cap space to work with. Wasting it on a hope and a prayer is how we got here in the first place.
An improved OL will not only help make the running game better, when you can run the ball they can't consistently rush the passer. So you give your QB more time to operate in the pocket as well. That's a win/win.
I don't know of any QB that doesn't play better out of a secure pocket. Even Sanders. I don't see how wasting half of your cap space on an unproven starting QB putting yet another QB in a crappy situation is really the best way of spending your resources.
I get it. I'm getting impatient too. I'm getting old too. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever see a Browns Superbowl in my time on earth. So much like yourself, I'm desperate to see a solution at the QB spot. But I try to look beyond that as if it were me spending the money. As if it were me building the team. And I'm certainly not an expert at doing that. I'm not even close to being qualified to do that.
And if there were a QB sitting there in the draft for us to select that seemed like a viable solution I would be all for it. But it doesn't appear there will be and Willis is nothing more than a long shot gamble that won't be cheap.
40 million to "find out"? Yeah...... no.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
There's lots of picks to get anything and everything. Not many of those picks usually turn out to be the answer for your problem. I play the odds and don't ignore the statistics. Teams don't usually land franchise LT's or #1 WR's later than round 1. And usually it's early in round 1.
Then when you look at the top level QB's in the NFL only one I can think of was a reclamation project instead of being drafted by the team they play for.
If going against the grain of those odds suits you so be it. It doesn't suit me.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
I am not sold on Berry - at all - but the one probable reason he still has a job is because of last year's draft class. *if* we (Haslam) thinks he's suddenly a draft guru - while he may never have another draft like 2025 - Keep the picks and either show us Berry can draft or show that 2025 was a fluke and move on. The first 3 picks should statistically all have a good chance of being a starter - especially if #39 is an IOL. From 70 thru to 148 - based on the inept state of the team on offense and special teams - we should be able to find at minimum depth and probably 2 rotation players out of the 5. With extreme luck a starter. That could change the team and talent available considerably.
It's worth factoring in the worse your current roster is - the better your chances of finding improvement in the draft.
I wasn't sold on Willis before - I am not sold on him now. I wouldn't give up draft capital for him. Not more than a 3rd rounder.
Last edited by mgh888; 02/16/2603:32 AM.
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
From what I read he is expected to get about what Fields got. Two years at $20 m.
Of course the odds go down each round. However, that does not mean you cannot find talent in later rounds especially at center, guard, TE, linebacker, and safety.
Berry had a great draft in 2025. Maybe he figured some things out with his scouting department.
I think realistic goals have to be kept in mind. It will take two years to rebuild the offense. 2027 they will get some cap relief from DW plus increases in the cap.
I think another guy should be added at quarterback for competition. Willis IMO has the best chance to show improvement.
It would be great if Sanders or Willis could be "the man." But you back that up with the real plan which is get your guy in the 2027 draft.
2027 you should have the team in good shape. You either have Shedeur, Willis, or you are ready for your rookie to start with a team around him.
Haslam has his eye on when the new stadium is ready in 2029. If the plans are solid the team should be ready.
Unless Sanders, Gabriel or [insert name] is the guy and we use the draft to address needs and have an "average" amount of success with our first 4 (possibly 5th) picks. We have a very good starting RB and a very good 2 back ups. We have a really good #1 TE. We have WR's on the roster that are adequate for #3 and deeper... it would be nice to have a WR1 and WR2 from the draft/free agency. There's possibly 1 possibly 2 OL that you could keep and hope they stay healthy. Although a complete overhaul would be ideal - realistically a minimum of 3 new starters is a must.
As for Sanders - he showed a little improvement and coachability. He showed a beautiful deep ball about 6 or 7 times. Other than he showed no more - maybe less - than Gabriel who faced far stiffer defenses. I think Gabriel has as much chance as being the guy as Sanders. Unless people buy into the notion Stefanski was deliberately sabotaging Sanders, the organization thought Gabriel the better rookie by the time the season started.
Last edited by mgh888; 02/16/2608:30 AM.
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
Browns GM Andrew Berry is interviewed by Nathan Zegura on the Cleveland Browns own web site. From what he said in this interview it really looks like the plan is to build around Sanders in 2026 off season. He said he sees the off season this year much like his 1st off season with the Browns in 2020 where his assignment is to build around the teams young QB. Referring to why the Browns choose Todd Monken he cited his track record of working with and improving young OB's. Those two answers seem quite telling to me. 1) He feels they have a young QB on the roster he needs to build around and 2) They hired a coach that has a track record working with young QB's. That kind of answers the question do they see Watson as a possibility. At least not from the start Watson would not be referred to as a young QB. Then he said the off season will be about building around they're young QB and building the offense. I think it is telling that he specifically said he needs to build the offense the same way they built the defense. I am not sure they are clearing looking at finding their future franchise QB as they are trying to develop their future franchise QB.
So, from interpreting what he is saying is they hired a coach that has a track record everywhere he has been in developing a young OBs. Then he sees this offseason being similar to 2020 where he needed to build around a young QB. Not find a young QB. Finally, he needs to build the offense like he has already built the defense.
With that said I do not think the Browns are going to sign another QB to be the starter this off season. That free agency and the draft is about the offense and building around a young QB.
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money." Margarat Thatcher
To me it sounds like he's saying he'll try to build the O and see what they have in Sanders this season. It's actually pretty much the most honest answer he could give. Next years QB class is expected to be much deeper with so many staying in school this year so the option to draft one this year doesn't look ideal. It seems the decision has pretty much been made not to spend a bunch of cap space trying to find some band aid or remote shot at buying a QB in the FA market.
I don't think anyone in the NFL actually thinks you build around a kid who threw 7 td's and 10 int's but right now that's the best option for the upcoming season.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Which, IMO, is exactly what we should be doing for 2026. The QB class is not good after Mendoza and the FA QB class is underwhelming. If we finish in the top 10 for the 2027 draft and SS doesn't look good, we can hopefully draft one then because the class looks deeper at this time. I would still consider taking a QB in a later round in the "26 draft to replace DG. I don't think he can be any more than a backup.
As history has shown some guys take time to develop.
Willis was not ready when he was drafted. He came from a one read simple system in a small school .
He was a long way from NFL ready. The last two years he has done well when he has played.
He looks like the best option out there for the Browns IMO. Low risk and a chance to be more than what we have.
The Browns are not in a position where we have many options that offer much more.
A little devil's advocate... how many times has this type of QB (guy that got overdrafted and/or had some hype going into his draft and either not doing anything on his first team or actually getting to play and flaming out, then goes to his second team as a reclamation project and puts a little good tape together before hitting FA) actually panned out for the team that ends up giving him the contract? I'm all for reclamation projects, but they need to be low-risk... I don't get the feeling Willis is going to end up signing a min 'prove it' deal this off-season.
"I'll take your word at face value. I have never met you but I assume you have a face..lol"
Forget Mendoza and Simpson and look at some of these guys. There are more than a few who have better traits than either SS or DG...be it size, arm strength mobility, whatever. I'd like to take a flyer on either guy from CT or GT. If we are going to carry projects at QB, let's at least have one that has a special trait(s) that translates into success in the NFL.
The extra "wrinkle" in terms of what you're saying here is that DG and Sanders were picked for KS's offense, and we obviously have a new offensive-minded HC. It stands to reason that at least one of our 2nd year QBs may be even less of a fit with the team (before we even get into their performance last year).
"I'll take your word at face value. I have never met you but I assume you have a face..lol"
Realizing that FA pickups can drastically change things I will stick with this until FA ends, then scrap or modify;
My 2026 draft hopefuls IF we don’t trade down;
Pick # 6, OT- Mauigoa (UM) or Fano (UT), #24, OT-Dunker (IA), #39, WR- Bell (UL) or Brazzell (TN) or Conception T A&M), #70, QB-Beck (UM) or OG-Reed-Adams (TA&M), #107, Best OG avail, #140, DL-Bear Alexander (OR), then BPA remainder. If Beck is gone perhaps #145, Cole Payton, QB, NDSt
$20 a year for two years from what I understand is doable.
I assume you're correct, but my worry here is that giving out this contract will further constraining additional roster-building on the offensive side. At this point in this team's rebuild, I'd much rather put the money towards building the supporting cast than a relative long-shot at QB.
"I'll take your word at face value. I have never met you but I assume you have a face..lol"
Just a general point about this year's QB class ... and this follows recent discussions where posters were heavily criticizing Berry for not taking Dart or other QBs who were not thought of as particularly highly yet who have shown some success (to date) in the NFL.
While the QB class isn't perceived today as being talented. . . there's probably a diamond in there somewhere. Whether its a Nussmeier or Beck who were once considered likely high 1st round talents but have had bad years ... or from somewhere else. Are posters saying DON'T take a flier on a QB in this draft. Period? In which case do not criticize the FO if one of those guys you didn't want to take a chance on excels -- or are you/we happy to find a guy in round 2 or 3 that the FO thinks might be better than SS and Gabriel?
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
This is where you have to trust the evaluation process.
It is not just Berry. There are others involved in the evaluation process.
If there are strong feelings about a free agent or a draft prospect then you take that dive.
IMO I am not ok with the current QB room. Shedeur might have a future but the at is not good enough.
I don't see a future in Gabriel except as a backup and that is ok. I have no interest in DW other than a backup for this year.
Nussmeier is a guy I might take a flyer on. However, if you keep Shedeur and Gabriel how are you going to develop another rookie?
I like the idea of signing Willis because he has "potential" and some NFL experience. A two year deal is not a huge commitment. He might work out. He might not.
We don't have a sure thing right now. So, you need to keep trying and take some swings.
I can't think of anyone who has suggested that. By "taking a flyer" it would suggest using a later pick as in past the first round to see if they can be the answer. I would hope they don't use one of their first two picks on a QB. But beyond that I wouldn't have an issue with it.
What we have been discussing as far as I know has been spending a chunk of FA money on a QB who has been in the league for four years and has yet to earn a starting spot after having a chance to start by the team who drafted him. The suggested amount was 20 million a year. In FA and spending a huge chink of cash like that I think it would be better invested in a proven player. While it may not pay a starting G's entire salary it would pay a huge chunk of it. If you plan to sign depth players and nothing more than yet another huge question mark, I don't think spending that kind of cash in FA dollars make sense.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
I can't think of anyone who has suggested that. By "taking a flyer" it would suggest using a later pick as in past the first round to see if they can be the answer. I would hope they don't use one of their first two picks on a QB. But beyond that I wouldn't have an issue with it.
What we have been discussing as far as I know has been spending a chunk of FA money on a QB who has been in the league for four years and has yet to earn a starting spot after having a chance to start by the team who drafted him. The suggested amount was 20 million a year. In FA and spending a huge chink of cash like that I think it would be better invested in a proven player. While it may not pay a starting G's entire salary it would pay a huge chunk of it. If you plan to sign depth players and nothing more than yet another huge question mark, I don't think spending that kind of cash in FA dollars make sense.
If the Browns did go after Willis, it would cost them about 35 mill guaranteed. The Athletics' Browns beat writer Zach Jackson was on UCSS and said it will probably take around what the Jets gave Justin Fields. He also said initially he was against it but the more he thought about it the more he thought just maybe the Browns would be interested. Willis' best game as a Pro came late last year vs the Ravens with Todd Monken watching from the press booth. Willis was 18 of 21 for 288 yards passing with 1 TD and 60 yards rushing with 2 TDs in that game. He said he is solid built 6'1 225 lbs. Not as fast as Lamar but brings a similar skill set to what Monken just coached in Lamer Jackson.
If it did not work out the 35 mill guaranteed would not stop the Browns from drafting a QB high next season if they were in position to. With the AFC North looking mediocre coming off last season and if the Browns feel their defense is good enough to win the division if they can improve the offense. Then if Monken thinks Willis can be the QB it is worth it to try to acquire him. Jackson said Sanders would also be well served to be a backup and learn behind another QB. Said Monken is fond of Sanders and thinks he has a future in the league. Sanders showed he was more athletic and could run more than expected. Jackson said if the Browns truly believe their defense can win now, they can easily free up 50 mill in cap space by the beginning of the league year by renegotiating Watson, Ward, Garrett and others. Said Willis would be QB 1 no if's and's or but's. Sanders would be the backup, and Watson would be 3rd string. His contract expires after this season, and the remaining cap hit would be moved to a post June 1st cut splitting it between 2027 and 2028. Watson would then be off the books for the 2029 season that opens the new stadium.
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money." Margarat Thatcher
I think your number of 35 mil is closer to reality. That would mean there would be north of 80 million in cap space spent on Willis and watson alone. That's unsustainable and would prevent the Browns of addressing areas of actual needs with proven players instead of using hope and a prayer again at the QB position.
I am glad you mentioned that was his "best game as a pro". When one looks at his entire body of work however that wouldn't be the picture it paints. Outliers whether the best or the worst never paint the picture. They simply tilt everything in one direction.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Everyone in on the Sanders bandwagon because of his social media / "it" factor- Gabriel beat him in several areas- pass completion percentage and WAY FEWER SACKS, plus passing release time/ make smart decision-- Gabriel was much better college QB, yet he's been written off- give him a solid line/ run game and see the results. I'd love to draft a BIGGER guy, Penn State Allar, probably available in 4/5 RD....Go Browns!!!
"You've never lived till you've almost died, life has a flavor the protected will never know" A vet or cop
Everyone in on the Sanders bandwagon because of his social media / "it" factor- Gabriel beat him in several areas- pass completion percentage and WAY FEWER SACKS, plus passing release time/ make smart decision-- Gabriel was much better college QB, yet he's been written off- give him a solid line/ run game and see the results. I'd love to draft a BIGGER guy, Penn State Allar, probably available in 4/5 RD....Go Browns!!!
Gabriel could not throw the ball down field. Sanders did not have good stats. He was not a good QB but at least he flashed ability. That is what most Browns fans that are not in a love/hate camp with Sanders thinks. He flashed some ability. Gabriel did not flash at all. He showed nothing. No ability to throw the ball down field, no ability to show he could see down field, no ability to create a big play. Nothing!!!!
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money." Margarat Thatcher
While Sanders has shown a great ability to throw more int's than td's. But I agree that neither one are the answer at QB.
Sanders did not play well at QB. But he flashed some ability to make a play. Gabriel showed nothing. Neither QB proved they were the answer. Sanders just showed with some work he has some ability. How much TBD.
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money." Margarat Thatcher
Along the lines of Malik Willis, I think a better low-cost option would be to watch closely what's going on with Justin Fields. I believe he's under contract for 2026, but there's chatter around them shaking things up in the QB room.
I could be wrong, but my assumption is it would end up costing less to get Fields in here than it would to get Willis.
"I'll take your word at face value. I have never met you but I assume you have a face..lol"
Check the NFL QB rankings, Gabriel slightly higher than Sanders overall, both are NO good starters. Watson, with all his baggage, is our best QB hands down.....if healthy. We have to pay him, he's best bridge to next years QBs.
"You've never lived till you've almost died, life has a flavor the protected will never know" A vet or cop
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