The biggest question mark facing the Cleveland Browns this offseason is what they do at the quarterback position. While the only long term answer is probably going to come through the draft in either 2025 or 2026 they need to find a starter for week one of the 2025 season though another source. They have three different ways to do this, the current free agent list, players being cut and players in trades.
This article is very much about setting a net as far and wide to have a good look at who might be an option, over the offseason the OBR is the best place to come as our writers will look into the strengths and weaknesses of all of these options. At the same time I will investigate the entire free agency class to get a sense of which of the 800+ players are most likely to be targets for Cleveland and Andrew Berry.
Here is a look at the list of all quarterbacks who are due to be free agents this offseason.
We will also look at all the names that have been rumored to be on the chopping block this offseason. The Cleveland Browns will have a range of choices from proven starters, bridge quarterbacks if they plan to draft one at the top of the first round as well as upside swings as a backup quarterback.
Then we will finish on the one player that people have regularly thrown out as a potential trade candidate.
Re-Sign – Jameis Winston
Age: 30.9
Current Contract: $4m/1
Passing Attempts: 296
Completion Percentage: 61.1%
Passing Yards: 2,121
Touchdowns: 13
Interceptions: 12
For me he is a bridge or backup option for Cleveland or other teams to look at. While he has a wide range out outcomes due to his downfield passing games there are likely to be interceptions at the same time. He will be around the best backup quarterbacks in the league during the 2025 season, the question is does anyone believe he could be a bridge quarterback while they draft a rookie.
Age: 27.5
Current Team: Minnesota Vikings
Current Contract: $10m/1
Passing Attempts: 545
Completion Percentage: 66.2%
Passing Yards: 4,319
Touchdowns: 35
Interceptions: 12
The top name currently set for free agency at the moment is Sam Darnold, the Vikings are prepared for if he walks after the season with JJ McCarthy and potentially re-signing Daniel Jones as a bridge. If they feel he can continue this level of performances long term then they will be extending him despite taking McCarthy with the 10th pick in the draft. You don’t give up on franchise quarterbacks, so if the Vikings who have seen him up close don’t think he is capable of doing it long term then you are paying the max price for someone they believe will regress.
When you have more teams chasing quarterbacks than the amount available on the market the price will continue to grow. Baker Mayfield signed a deal worth $100m over three years with $40m guaranteed. We could certainly see Darnold pass this as a free agent with $120m over three years and $70m guaranteed.
Here is an OBR VIP article from Christmas Day: How The Cleveland Browns Manage A Sam Darnold Contract
Age: 36.0
Current Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Current Contract: $1.21m/1
Passing Attempts: 336
Completion Percentage: 63.7%
Passing Yards: 2,482
Touchdowns: 16
Interceptions: 5
Wilson is the most proven quarterback in free agency and would be a no brainer of a one year quarterback if you are looking for a fix for 2025. The issue is he is having success with the Steelers and I expect him to return as their quarterback. He isn’t the player that is going to take them to the promised land but he gives you respectability and Tomlin is able to produce above average annually. I would assume he signs a deal around $100m over three years with the Steelers rather than get to free agency.
Age: 25.8
Current Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Current Contract: Rookie Deal
Passing Attempts: 161
Completion Percentage: 65.8%
Passing Yards: 1,106
Touchdowns: 5
Interceptions: 1
One of the below quarterback is Justin Fields and the other is Deshaun Watson, over the last three years their passing metrics have been very similar. Fields brings more in the rushing game but is that enough for you to trust him as the quarterback for an entire season. Former first round quarterbacks are going to get more interest this offseason after the success of Sam Darnold but the question is do the league see him as a starter, a bridge or a backup. He has the talent to be a bridge or a backup, I struggle to see a team having him as Plan A for 17 games in 2025.
Age: 27.6
Current Team: Minnesota Vikings
Current Contract: Practice Squad
Passing Attempts: 341
Completion Percentage: 63.3%
Passing Yards: 2,070
Touchdowns: 8
Interceptions: 7
He spent the second half of the season sat on the Vikings practice squad and I believe their aim is if Darold leaves then he will be their bridge/backup quarterback next year until JJ McCarthy is ready. With Darnold they have shown they can elevate the stock of a quarterback so I could see why it makes sense for him.
If he can find a team that will pay him to be their bride quarterback then he could be a nice option and is really close to that line of what a team might find acceptable as a pairing with a day two quarterback prospect. He can play the majority of the season and give you okay play.
Age: 32.0
Current Team: New England Patriots
Current Contract: $8m/1
Passing Attempts: 161
Completion Percentage: 59.0%
Passing Yards: 826
Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 1
If you want the opposite of Winston then it might be Jacoby Brissett, he is less likely to turn the ball over but at the same time you aren’t going to be able to put up the yardage. I don’t think we would be talking about the Jeudy and Tillman breakout with him at quarterback but at the same time games would be closer and we know he can play the system that Stefanski wants to play.
For me it would be a nice move if you are adding a quarterback in the draft who you believe will start in 2025 but if he is your quarterback for the entire season I am not sure he has enough to give you a chance to compete, he takes you to 6-9 wins and if you manage to get to 10 and in the playoffs you are most likely getting a first round exit from the playoffs.
Age: 39.9
Current Team: Indianapolis Colts
Current Contract: $4.5m/1
Passing Attempts: 248
Completion Percentage: 65.3
Passing Yards: 1,761
Touchdowns: 12
Interceptions: 7
He isn’t a starting option for an entire season, after three below average seasons he has had a two year bounce with Cleveland and Indianapolis but will shortly be turning 40. I think he could be an option for a team as a potential bridge or backup quarterback if he wants to play again.
Age: 31.1
Current Team: Dallas Cowboys
Current Contract: $5m/2
Passing Attempts: 308
Completion Percentage: 60.7%
Passing Yards: 1,844
Touchdowns: 12
Interceptions: 5
He is a backup option for a team that want to add a quarterback with some experience. I would prefer taking a swing on a backup with more risk and upside but with Stefanski’s scheme they have got wins with a game manager.
Age: 26.3
Current Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Current Contract: Rookie Contract
Passing Attempts: 262
Completion Percentage: 65.3%
Passing Yards: 1,672
Touchdowns: 7
Interceptions: 8
He had a really strong rookie season with the Patriots and then has struggled for the majority of his time since then regressing to a below average quarterback. During the second half of this season there were some positive signs. I could see him as a really nice upside swing for Stefanski to elevate as a backup option. He is the perfect cheaper game manager option that they could turn to for the 2025 season.
Age: 33.1
Current Team: Los Angeles Rams
Current Contract: $3,178,750/1
Passing Attempts: 41
Completion Percentage: 65.9%
Passing Yards: 334
Touchdowns: 2
Interceptions: 1
Age: 36.3
Current Team: Atlanta Falcons
Current Contract: $180m/4
Passing Attempts: 453
Completion Percentage: 66.9%
Passing Yards: 3,508
Touchdowns: 18
Interceptions: 16
For all we have heard about how poor his 2024 season has been he is still graded as PFF’s 23rd best quarterback out of 44 who reached the 20% minimum threshold on dropbacks. Stefanski got great returns out of Cousins in the past and if you are going to get him for $1.255m then he should be someone that you strongly consider as the proven starter. If it doesn’t work out you are in a position where you can move off with little to now downside as he is so cheap.
Age: 41.0
Current Team: New York Jets
Current Contract: $112.5m/3
Passing Attempts: 584
Completion Percentage: 63.0%
Passing Yards: 3,897
Touchdowns: 28
Interceptions: 11
All signs are pointing to him being released once the new league year starts, most likely as a Post June 1st cut. He can then decide where he wants to go for next season, he has just turned 41. He is still playing at a high level currently with 26 big time throws to 12 turnover worthy plays on the season. If you are just taking on the player then it would be something I would strongly consider.
The issue is wherever he goes there is a good chance he wants to be a semi General Manager and brining several of his own players with him, for me I would avoid him for this reason.
He isn’t going to be a cheap player like Cousins because he has no guaranteed money in 2025.
Age: 33.7
Current Team: New Orleans Saints
Current Contract: $150m/4
Passing Attempts: 279
Completion Percentage: 67.7%
Passing Yards: 2,145
Touchdowns: 15
Interceptions: 5
Here are some words from Jason at Over The Cap: “Ive seen some weird cut numbers posted for Derek Carr of the Saints. If Carr is healthy and a post June 1 cut the Saints would have to carry him on the cap at $51.5M until June 2 which isnt really feasible. The number drops to $21.5M after June 1 not before it.”
I don’t see the cut happening and expect him to be the Saints quarterback next season.
Age: 36.9
Current Team: Los Angeles Rams
Current Contract: $160m/4
Passing Attempts: 517
Completion Percentage: 65.8%
Passing Yards: 3,762
Touchdowns: 20
Interceptions: 8
This is a name I didn’t expect to hear hit the market this offseason but there have been rumors so I have added him in for consideration. He is due a $4m roster bonus on the 19th of March so if he is on the team then you would expect him to return for the 2025 season. Until the Rams find someone better I would be surprised to see him released, he will only cost $27m in 2025 which is a very cheap number compared to where the quarterback market is.
Age: 21.9
Current Team: Minnesota Vikings
Current Contract: $21.8m/4
I don’t see the logic for the Vikings trading him even if they sign Darnold to an extension. You have only seen one year of Darnold as a starting level quarterback in the league, so keep McCarthy as the upside backup and if Darnold gets hurt or regresses you have an option for someone to take over. If they traded the young rookie contract quarterback and he performs well and Darnold regresses that can lead to Kwesi getting fired. He would be far smarter keeping McCarthy or a year or two more before deciding which quarterback to go with long term. It is far better having options at the most important position in all of sports.
If someone was willing to come out with a trade offer that was so crazy that people would complain he said no like two first round picks then potentially it could be in play but I don’t see anyone offering this.
