Few franchises know the quarterback search better than the Browns. Over the years, Cleveland has tried high draft picks, veteran stopgaps and big trades, and the answer has still been hard to find. Many believed the 2027 draft would finally give the Browns a clean shot at the position. After a surprising start to this season, one national insider is not so sure it will work out that way.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared his thoughts on the quarterback position after Shedeur Sanders’ start in New Orleans. He believes the Browns’ draft position may be too high to draft a franchise quarterback.
“I’m not sure Shedeur Sanders did enough to take Deshaun Watson’s job on Sunday. But I think he played well enough that the Browns might want to see him play a couple of games by the end of the year. Especially since the Browns’ first-rounders might not be high enough to get a premier quarterback, so they could be in another bridge scenario in 2027,” Breer wrote.
The Browns hold 2 1st-round picks in 2027, their own and the Los Angeles Rams’ selection from the Myles Garrett trade. At 5-4, though, Cleveland is not on pace to pick near the top of the draft.
The Browns could always trade up. With 11 picks next year, Andrew Berry has the ammunition to move up the board if a quarterback he loves is within reach. That would still come at a significant cost.
If the Browns cannot land a premier option, they may need someone to hold the job in 2027. That is where Sanders becomes so interesting. He is still on his rookie contract, and he just threw for 297 yards and 2 touchdowns in his first start of the season, including 197 yards in the 4th quarter and overtime.
Watson, meanwhile, is in the final year of his deal. He has led the NFL with 5 game-winning drives and cleared the concussion protocol, so he is expected to be available against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Breer is not calling for a change this week. He is suggesting the Browns find out more about Sanders before the season ends, so they can plan the offseason with real information instead of guesses.
That seems like a sensible approach for a team trying to compete now while planning for later. Todd Monken has not said who will start against Houston, and the trade deadline arrives today at 4 p.m. ET.
How the Browns handle the quarterback position over the final 8 games could shape the franchise for years.
NEXT: 4 Browns Players Get Called Out For Lack Of Discipline
