Browns Emphasize Offensive Overhaul, Leave Quarterback Future Undecided
In a press conference addressing the team's direction, Cleveland Browns leadership made it clear where their offseason focus lies. General Manager Andrew Berry stated unequivocally that the franchise's primary investment will be on the offensive side of the ball, a sentiment echoed by owner Jimmy Haslam, who acknowledged significant roster work ahead.
Notably absent from their remarks was any definitive endorsement of a quarterback for the 2026 season. This leaves the status of Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson explicitly uncertain, with no player guaranteed the starting role. The decision will heavily involve the input of a soon-to-be-hired new head coach, following the dismissal of Kevin Stefanski after six seasons.
While the new coach is not guaranteed to be offensive-minded, Berry emphasized the individual's ultimate responsibility is to ensure the offense is "run and developed well." The pressing need for a lasting solution at quarterback was framed as the critical factor in reversing the team's recent fortunes, which included three- and five-win seasons.
Veteran lineman Joel Bitonio underscored the league's reality, stating, "the National Football League is a quarterback league." He highlighted the challenge of achieving sustained success without a stable, elite presence at the position, implicitly questioning whether the current roster holds that answer.
The organization's evaluation of its rookie quarterbacks, Sanders and Gabriel, yielded a mixed picture. While Sanders secured more wins in his seven starts, his traditional passing metrics, including a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 0.8 and a 72.9 passer rating, were below league average. Gabriel posted a better ratio (3.0) and a slightly higher rating (78.9) but averaged fewer passing yards per game.
Berry acknowledged Sanders' progress as a rookie but stopped short of naming him the future starter. "I can’t sit here and tell you today whether the solution for or the starter in 2026 is internal or external," Berry said, indicating a comprehensive review of the quarterback market is forthcoming.
The Browns' approach suggests a pivotal coaching hire will precede a final decision on the quarterback. The franchise appears wary of tailoring a hire to a specific quarterback style, with one league source advising to "find the best coach possible" for the organization overall, allowing flexibility if the current quarterbacks are not the long-term answer.
With the sixth overall pick in the upcoming draft and additional capital, the Browns are positioned to be aggressive. The fact that 12 of the 14 starting quarterbacks in this year's playoffs were first-round selections underscores the premium placed on high draft investment at the position, potentially hinting at Cleveland's next move.
For Shedeur Sanders, the path to retaining the starting job remains challenging, a reality compounded by his fifth-round draft status. While he expressed confidence in his growth and experience gained, he conceded the ultimate decision rests with the organization. "I can’t speak on what other people feel," Sanders said.
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