Browns Seek To Fix NFL Basement Quarterback Ranking

The Cleveland Browns have made two quarterback transactions this offseason and yet … it does not mean a thing. 

The Browns traded with the Philadelphia Eagles for former Pittsburgh Steelers' first-round pick Kenny Pickett. Cleveland also signed free agent Joe Flacco, who led the Browns to the playoffs in 2023, while winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

However, despite the presence of the two journeymen, the cupboard is bare.

According to Sam Robinson of Yardbarker, only two teams have worse quarterback situations in the NFL. He cites the Tennessee Titans and the Steelers as having the two worst quarterback rooms. 

It has been widely speculated the Titans will use the draft's No. 1 pick overall on University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward Thursday night. 

There is also a lot of smoke coming out of Pittsburgh where the Steelers have been linked to potentially drafting a quarterback with their first round pick.

That would then leave the Browns.

Clevelanders are hoping the Browns select a quarterback in the early rounds of the draft. They have the No. 2 pick Thursday night and are projected to be leaning toward Colorado's two-way, wide receiver/defensive back, Travis Hunter or Penn State's edge rusher Abdul Carter.

The Browns have an early pick in the second round, on Friday night, which could potentially be used on a quarterback. There has also been some conversation amongst the draft insiders the Browns might use that pick to trade back into the first round to look for the much-needed quarterback.

In the interim, Pickett and Flacco are going to compete for the starting job.

"Flacco fared surprisingly well in 2023, winning a still-strange Comeback Player of the Year race, but he is now 40 and coming off a bad Colts season," Robinson said. "Pickett's stock has tanked over the past two seasons. Will a rookie option join this duo? If not, Flacco-Pickett is a tough sell." 

One thing we know for sure is that the Browns will start the season without their highly-paid and oft-injured quarterback in Deshaun Watson. Watson will miss time in 2025 due to the second Achilles tendon rupture he suffered last season.