{"id":9910,"date":"2025-01-10T10:55:09","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T10:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=9910"},"modified":"2025-01-10T10:55:09","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T10:55:09","slug":"breaking-quarterbacks-available-for-the-cleveland-browns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=9910","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING: Quarterbacks Available For The Cleveland Browns"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Here is a look at the list of all quarterbacks who are due to be free agents this offseason.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Then we will finish on the one player that people have regularly thrown out as a potential trade candidate.<\/p>\n

Re-Sign – Jameis Winston<\/h2>\n

\"Jameis<\/p>\n

Age: 30.9<\/p>\n

Current Contract: $4m\/1<\/p>\n

Passing Attempts: 296<\/p>\n

Completion Percentage: 61.1%<\/p>\n

Passing Yards: 2,121<\/p>\n

Touchdowns: 13<\/p>\n

Interceptions: 12<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Free Agent – Sam Darnold<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\"<\/picture>
(Photo: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Age: 27.5<\/p>\n

Current Team:\u00a0Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n

Current Contract: $10m\/1<\/p>\n

Passing Attempts: 545<\/p>\n

Completion Percentage: 66.2%<\/p>\n

Passing Yards: 4,319<\/p>\n

Touchdowns: 35<\/p>\n

Interceptions: 12<\/p>\n

The top name currently set for free agency at the moment is Sam Darnold,\u00a0the Vikings are prepared for if he\u00a0walks after the season with JJ McCarthy and potentially re-signing Daniel Jones as a bridge. If they feel he\u00a0can continue this level of performances long term then they\u00a0will\u00a0be 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\u00a0they believe will regress.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Here is an OBR VIP article from Christmas Day:\u00a0How The Cleveland Browns Manage A Sam Darnold Contract<\/p>\n

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Free Agent – Russell Wilson<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/picture>
(Photo: Justin Berl\/Getty Images, Getty)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Age: 36.0<\/p>\n

Current Team:\u00a0Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n

Current Contract: $1.21m\/1<\/p>\n

Passing Attempts: 336<\/p>\n

Completion Percentage: 63.7%<\/p>\n

Passing Yards: 2,482<\/p>\n

Touchdowns: 16<\/p>\n

Interceptions: 5<\/p>\n

Wilson is the most\u00a0proven 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.<\/p>\n

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Free Agent – Justin Fields<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/picture>
(Photo: Brandon Sloter, Getty)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Age: 25.8<\/p>\n

Current Team:\u00a0Pittsburgh Steelers<\/p>\n

Current Contract: Rookie Deal<\/p>\n

Passing Attempts: 161<\/p>\n

Completion Percentage: 65.8%<\/p>\n

Passing Yards: 1,106<\/p>\n

Touchdowns: 5<\/p>\n

Interceptions: 1<\/p>\n

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\u00a0the 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.<\/p>\n

<\/picture><\/figure>\n
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Free Agent – Daniel Jones<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/picture>
(Photo: Robert Deutsch, Getty)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Age: 27.6<\/p>\n

Current Team:\u00a0Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n

Current Contract:\u00a0Practice Squad<\/p>\n

Passing Attempts: 341<\/p>\n

Completion Percentage: 63.3%<\/p>\n

Passing Yards: 2,070<\/p>\n

Touchdowns: 8<\/p>\n

Interceptions: 7<\/p>\n

He\u00a0spent the second half of the season\u00a0sat 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\u00a0JJ 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Free Agent – Jacoby Brissett<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/picture>
(Photo: Kevork Djansezian\/Getty Images, USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Age: 32.0<\/p>\n

Current Team: New England Patriots<\/p>\n

Current Contract: $8m\/1<\/p>\n

Passing Attempts: 161<\/p>\n

Completion Percentage: 59.0%<\/p>\n

Passing Yards: 826<\/p>\n

Touchdowns: 2<\/p>\n

Interceptions: 1<\/p>\n

If you want the opposite of Winston then it might be\u00a0Jacoby 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\u00a0breakout 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Free Agent – Joe Flacco<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Joe<\/picture>
(Photo: \u00a9 Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Age: 39.9<\/p>\n

Current Team: Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n

Current Contract: $4.5m\/1<\/p>\n

Passing Attempts: 248<\/p>\n

Completion Percentage: 65.3<\/p>\n

Passing Yards: 1,761<\/p>\n

Touchdowns: 12<\/p>\n

Interceptions: 7<\/p>\n

He isn’t a starting option for an entire season, after three below average\u00a0seasons 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.<\/p>\n

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Free Agent – Cooper Rush<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/picture>
(Photo: Jeffrey Becker, USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Age: 31.1<\/p>\n

Current Team:\u00a0Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n

Current Contract: $5m\/2<\/p>\n

Passing Attempts: 308<\/p>\n

Completion Percentage: 60.7%<\/p>\n

Passing Yards: 1,844<\/p>\n

Touchdowns: 12<\/p>\n

Interceptions: 5<\/p>\n

He is a backup option for a team that want to add a quarterback with\u00a0some\u00a0experience. 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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