The Browns keep circling back to the same uncomfortable truth: their quarterback answer may not be on the roster right now.
Deshaun Watson beating out Shedeur Sanders for the starting job said plenty about where things stand in Cleveland, and the team’s long-term search is now pushing everyone’s attention toward the college game. The free-agent market doesn’t offer much relief, so the Browns are staring at the future - and at two first-round picks in a 2027 quarterback class that’s expected to be deep and promising.
Week 2 of the college season gives them an early look at two names that could end up mattering a lot in that search. No.
4 Texas hosts No. 1 Ohio State in one of the most anticipated rematches in recent years, with Arch Manning and Julian Sayin set to go head-to-head again.
If Browns general manager Andrew Berry wants a clearer view of the next wave of quarterback talent, this is the place to watch.
Manning entered the 2025 season as the most hyped player in college football. His start was rocky, though he settled in during the second half of the year.
Even so, his first outing against the Buckeyes didn’t leave a great impression. Sayin wasn’t exactly dominant in Ohio State’s win either, but he was the steadier presence over the course of the season.
There’s also the practical side of the equation. Sayin is already a short drive from Berea, which at least makes him easier to track.
Manning, meanwhile, comes with all the usual weight of the family name. Some people will argue the Mannings would never allow Arch to end up in Cleveland, especially after the family blocked the draft-day move that would have sent Eli Manning there.
That’s a fair concern, even if Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is said to be close to that family.
The Browns, for their part, believe they can be much more than a rebuilding team. After overhauling the roster over the last two years, they have a young, talented group on both sides of the ball. The Myles Garrett trade also gave Berry and the front office another crack at landing the next quarterback, and they should have the assets and flexibility to move up if needed.
Sayin could become the easier path if the Manning buzz stays loud all the way to draft night. Ohio State quarterbacks haven’t always translated smoothly to the NFL, but he already has believers in the building.
So while Cleveland’s 2025 season is not being treated like a waiting room, the Browns know what’s coming next. Their next quarterback could very well be taking snaps Saturday in Austin.
In Other News...
Browns Fans Already Have A New Reason To Watch Myles Garrett
Clevelands season opener did not give Browns fans much to celebrate, but it did add another layer of interest to the long view of the franchise. After a Week 1 loss dropped Cleveland to 0-1, the draft math already started taking shape in the background, with Jacksonvilles strong season putting the Browns in position for the 24th pick in the 2026 NFL draft. For a fan base that lives with both the present and the future, that kind of development is hard to ignore.
Myles Garrett also gave Browns followers a fresh storyline to track, even from afar, in his debut with the Los Angeles Rams. He was limited by a knee issue and played only part-time in the Week 1 loss, then said he needed to improve as the Rams head into a 10-day break before their next game. Los Angeles still looks built to contend this season, which only makes Garretts next steps more worth watching for anyone in Cleveland still keeping one eye on their former star. [Read more 🡒]
Jared Verse Is Already Addressing The One Concern Browns Fans Had
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Verse said he has been working on trying new moves during training camp, a sign he knows the next step in his game is about more than winning with strength alone. Entering his third NFL season, he is aiming to be a more versatile defender, the kind who can threaten blockers in multiple ways and give the Browns another layer on the edge. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Suddenly Face A Week 1 O-Line Decision They Didn't Want
Week 1 already has a way of testing offensive lines, and Cleveland may be dealing with one of its own before the opening game even settles in. Teven Jenkins did not practice because of a back issue, putting the Browns in a spot they probably wanted to avoid this early and opening the door for rookie Austin Barber to potentially get his first NFL action.
The rest of the weeks practice report offered the usual mix of participation notes, but Jenkins status is the one that matters most for a unit trying to find its footing. Around the league, quarterback injuries and uneven early performances have already added to the sense that September can turn quickly, and for Cleveland, the immediate concern is whether it can keep the front five intact long enough to start the season cleanly. [Read more 🡒]