Another season for the Cleveland Browns concludes with question marks surrounding their quarterback situation.
It's fortunate that the Cleveland Browns are wrapping up their season with a game on Saturday, as they're rapidly running out of quarterbacks, a pattern the Browns seem inclined to follow.
Here's a rundown of the quarterbacks the Browns have hired since they believed they had finally solved their long-term quarterback puzzle by acquiring Deshaun Watson on March 18, 2022:
Deshaun Watson, Jacoby Brissett, P.J. Walker, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Joe Flacco, Jeff Driskel, Jameis Winston, and Bailey Zappe.
Zappe is currently on the Browns' roster, although he hasn't yet played a game for them, and it's possible that he'll make his debut against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, in the team's last game of the season.
Or perhaps Zappe will have to wait until next season to make his first appearance with the Browns. Time will tell, as with most things involving the Browns and their quarterbacks.
The reason the Browns have never made it to the Super Bowl is their inability to crack the code of the quarterback position. Despite their best efforts, it seems they're over-trying, as evidenced by their decision to trade for Deshaun Watson and offer him a record-setting five-year, $230 million contract.
However, injuries, a suspension, and subpar performance in the few games Watson has played have made this endeavor a complete flop. The proof is in the parade of backup quarterbacks listed above.
The only notable player in this group was Joe Flacco, who—when the Browns desperately called for him to save their season in 2023—was able to save the day, guiding the team to an 11-6 record and a place in the playoffs.
Since they inexplicably failed to bring Flacco back in 2024, the Browns have struggled, compiling a 3-13 record.
In his news conference on Tuesday, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who might or might not face criticism for his performance, didn't shed much light on his starting quarterback for Saturday's game against the Ravens.
"I'm working through that," said Stefanski, the Browns' two-time NFL Coach of the Year. "I could play Dorian and Bailey in this game. Jameis is nursing a shoulder injury."
It doesn't matter which quarterback Stefanski chooses to start against the Ravens, as the primary focus should be on the Browns' final game of the year, a game that will put an exclamation point on what has been one of the most dismal seasons in franchise history.
The Browns are 3-13 and are set to give this disappointing season a fitting finish against the Ravens, who will be rather relieved to see the back of the Browns.
Stefanski's tenure as head coach, which has included multiple Coach of the Year awards, has been marred by this year's probable 3-14 season, as well as the ongoing turmoil caused by the decision to trade for Deshaun Watson.
As the end of the year approaches and the final tally is tallied, this year's disaster is unlikely to be forgotten. The Browns have a history of drama sidetracking their quest to return to glory.
Instead, they find themselves in this predicament, a situation some desperate owners find themselves in and only then begin to seek answers.
Asked about his future beyond this season, Stefanski, who was given an extension a year ago, said, "I'm focusing on this game (Saturday in Baltimore). There have been plenty of discussions with ownership. They've been very supportive this season. Obviously, they share in the disappointment, but the focus is on this game."
Three years into Watson's five-year contract with the Browns, his situation remains unclear. Since joining the Browns, he's appeared in only 19 of their 51 games, and he hasn't played a full season since 2020.
Watson's 2024 season concluded with a season-ending torn Achilles, and—with Stefanski having to rely on a patchwork of backup quarterbacks—the Browns' fortunes took a turn for the worse.
It hasn't been an enjoyable spectacle to watch, with the Browns having been outscored in their last three games by a combined 65-16 and scoring just 248 points throughout the season, the fewest of any team in the league.
The Browns' struggling business operations, especially in the sports sector, have led to financial issues, as evidenced by their constant need to hire and rely on backup quarterbacks. Despite offering Deshaun Watson a record-breaking contract, the team's inability to sustain consistent performance with him and other quarterbacks has resulted in significant financial losses.
Given the Browns' financial challenges, securing sponsorships or investment in sportsmoney could provide a much-needed boost to their business, helping them to stabilize their financial situation and improve their on-field performance.
