The next phase of the NFL offseason will take place when the new league year begins and free agency officially commences at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.

It’s a critical offseason for the Cleveland Browns, who are coming off a three-win season and looking to rebuild their roster, beginning with the quarterback position.

While the Browns’ search for a quarterback — both in free agency and the draft — was a headline topic at the combine, comments from general manager Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski also provided insight into the team’s plans ahead of the new league year.

Berry announced that franchise great Nick Chubb is set to become an unrestricted free agent, making the Browns likely to explore their running back options on the market. And Berry acknowledged that the offensive line will likely get reinforcements after struggles in 2024.

Here are the takeaways from their comments.

Browns looking everywhere for a QB

It’s no secret that the Browns are one of the many quarterback-needy teams in the NFL. And with only one healthy quarterback under contract for the 2025 season, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the expectation remains that Cleveland will sign a veteran quarterback before the draft in late April.

“We’re obviously looking in a bunch of different areas there,” Stefanski said. “There’s some really exciting players in this draft that you’re looking at. There’s obviously work to be done in free agency and all those types of things, but I think we’re looking in all avenues.”

Both Stefanski and Berry said scheme fits won’t take precedence over getting the most talented player available. Sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Daniel Jones, Kirk Cousins (if released) and Carson Wentz are expected to be on the Browns’ radar.

And despite the $92 million owed to Deshaun Watson over the next two seasons, Berry said that the team’s cash and cap situation will “not be prohibitive for us to do things if the opportunity presents itself.”

Browns set to explore RB market

Berry told reporters at the combine that he expects Chubb to test free agency when the new league year opens. Chubb, who has spent the entirety of his seven-year career in Cleveland, has said he wants to finish his career with the Browns, but Berry has been noncommittal on his return since the season ended. The Browns now seem poised to explore the running back market.

This year’s free agent running class doesn’t compare to last year, when Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry were available. ESPN analyst Matt Bowen lists Aaron Jones, J.K. Dobbins and Najee Harris among the top free agent running backs available. With Chubb, as well as D’Onta Foreman, set to hit free agency, the Browns will need to supplement the running back room alongside Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr.

Offensive line additions expected

The Browns got a big boost to their offensive line, announcing that left guard Joel Bitonio will return for this 12th season after mulling retirement. At 33, Bitonio still graded out as one of the league’s best guards in ESPN’s pass block win rate and run block win rate metrics.

The Browns have three incumbent starters — center Ethan Pocic, right guard Wyatt Teller and right tackle Jack Conklin — who have no guaranteed salary remaining on their contracts. This gives Cleveland a window to pivot after struggles in 2024 if the team chooses to do so, but Berry spoke glowingly of the team’s veteran linemen.

“We have a lot of accomplished veterans in that group that we like a lot,” Berry said. “Number two, the good thing is that we do have them under contract, guarantees or not. And then number three, the trenches is a huge priority for us. So, we have a good group of veterans. We have some young guys that we like. It’s probably a room that we’ll continue to add to. But those guys are good players.”

An expected addition along the offensive line would be at left tackle, where Jedrick Wills Jr. is headed for free agency and Dawand Jones is rehabbing from arthroscopic knee surgery. Given Jones’ injury history — his first two seasons in the NFL have ended because of lower leg injuries — the Browns will need to bring in competition ahead of training camp. Bowen lists Ronnie Stanley, Cam Robinson and Dan Moore Jr. as the top left tackles available.

Berry said Jones’ latest procedure, which is not expected to keep him out for the start of training camp, will not impact the Browns’ plans for the position.

“It was something that we were planning,” Berry said. “It’s not something that popped up after the season. It’s something that we anticipated him having going into the offseason.”