The Cleveland Browns are heading into another pivotal offseason, and the quarterback conversation is once again front and center. After a turbulent 2024 season that saw Deshaun Watson sidelined with a season-ending Achilles injury-and his performance underwhelming even before that-the question now is whether the Browns are ready to turn the page or give Watson one more shot to prove he can be the guy.
There’s no sugarcoating it: Watson’s time in Cleveland has been rocky. Since arriving via that blockbuster trade with Houston, he’s struggled to find consistency on the field and has faced heavy scrutiny off it.
His 2024 campaign was cut short by injury, but even before the Achilles tear, Watson was far from the franchise-caliber quarterback the Browns hoped they were getting. The low point?
Browns fans audibly cheering as he was carted off the field-a moment that said more than any stat line could.
Enter Shedeur Sanders, the highly-touted rookie who many in Cleveland hope could be the long-term answer under center. Sanders brings a fresh energy and a skill set that has fans buzzing, and there's a growing belief that he could be the quarterback of the future. But that future might not start in Week 1 of 2025.
According to longtime Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot, the organization isn’t ready to hand over the reins just yet. The plan, as it stands, is to let Sanders compete, but unless he clearly shows he’s ready to win right away, the team appears prepared to roll with Watson-at least to start the season.
That’s a calculated move. The Browns have a lot invested in Watson, both financially and in terms of draft capital.
If he’s healthy and can return to anything resembling his Pro Bowl form, it makes sense for the front office to see what he still has left. But make no mistake: the leash will be short.
Sanders is waiting in the wings, and if he flashes during training camp and the preseason, the pressure will mount quickly.
As expected, the news sparked strong reactions across social media. One fan pushed back hard on the Sanders hype, writing, “Y’all crazy asf if y’all think Shedeur is beating out a healthy Deshaun Watson.
Crazy or delusional.” Another took a more pragmatic stance, saying, “I knew this would happen and don’t mind it.
Get your $$ worth out of Deshaun and let Sanders sit behind him. They need to address their receiver room and (linemen).”
That last point is worth noting-quarterback play doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The Browns’ offensive line and receiving corps both need upgrades if they want either quarterback to succeed.
Other fans focused on Watson’s potential for a bounce-back year, pointing out that with a full offseason to rehab and work on mechanics, there’s still a chance he can make a leap. “There is zero chance he isn’t going to work super hard on footwork, getting the ball out quickly, and pocket awareness,” one fan said. “I expect a nice leap with having an offseason program.”
That’s the kind of optimism Cleveland is hoping for, but it’ll take more than offseason workouts to change the narrative. The Browns are a team built to win now.
The defense is elite, the run game remains strong, and the window to compete is open. They can’t afford another year of quarterback instability.
So whether it’s Watson reclaiming his form or Sanders stepping up sooner than expected, one thing is clear: the Browns need answers under center, and they need them fast. The 2025 offseason is shaping up to be one of the most important in recent franchise history.