With the Cleveland Browns‘ 2023 season spiraling to a disappointing 2-7 start, the team’s future at quarterback is once again in question. Deshaun Watson, who was acquired in the highly publicized 2020 trade with the Houston Texans, has failed to live up to expectations, and his future with the team looks increasingly uncertain. As Watson recovers from a season-ending Achilles injury — his second straight year sidelined by a major injury — the Browns are being forced to confront the reality that their expensive franchise quarterback may no longer be their long-term solution.
As the Browns pivot towards the offseason, quarterback remains their most pressing need. If they cannot land a top-tier prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cleveland may look to add a veteran bridge quarterback to guide the team through the transition period. Enter Geno Smith, a name that has emerged as a potential option for the Browns this offseason.
Geno Smith: A Bridge to the Future?
According to Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Geno Smith, along with New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and backup Drew Lock, could be in the mix for the Browns in 2024. Smith has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last two seasons, leading the Seattle Seahawks to unexpected success in 2022. However, his play has taken a step back this year, particularly when it comes to limiting turnovers. Through nine games in 2023, Smith has thrown for 2,560 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions — a far cry from his 2022 Pro Bowl form.
But Smith’s situation in Seattle could open the door for the Browns to acquire him at a reasonable price. With the Seahawks set to save $25 million by cutting Smith in early 2025, the veteran QB could be available as a bridge option for a team like Cleveland that isn’t ready to fully commit to a long-term solution. If the Browns are unable to secure a top quarterback prospect in the draft, Smith could be a solid choice to stabilize the position for a year or two, while also offering some upside if he can recapture his 2022 form.
The Deshaun Watson Dilemma
Deshaun Watson’s tenure with the Browns has been a disaster, with the once-elite quarterback struggling to stay healthy and consistently perform. Watson played just six games in 2022 due to shoulder issues, and his 2023 season was cut short in Week 7 when he tore his Achilles. Up until that point, Watson had shown only flashes of the play that made him one of the top quarterbacks in the league during his time with Houston. Through 2023, he completed just over 63% of his passes for 1,148 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions — numbers far below expectations for a quarterback who was given a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million.
The Browns have remained non-committal on whether Watson will return as the starter when he’s healthy. General manager Andrew Berry made it clear that the team’s focus is on Watson’s recovery and ensuring that he is fully healed from the Achilles injury before making any decisions on his future.
“Our focus with Deshaun, I would say for any player with a season-ending injury and a major injury, is first and foremost with the recovery and to make sure that he gets healthy from the Achilles injury,” Berry said. “Everything else we’ll deal with at a later moment.”
This leaves the Browns in a precarious position. With two more seasons of guaranteed salary-cap hits for Watson, Cleveland is stuck with the financial burden of his contract, but it’s unclear whether they can count on him as their long-term answer at quarterback.
Jameis Winston: A Short-Term Solution?
In the meantime, the Browns have turned to veteran quarterback Jameis Winston. The former No. 1 overall pick had a solid debut as the starter, passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. However, Winston’s turnover issues resurfaced in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, where he threw three interceptions in a 27-10 defeat.
Despite the rough performance, head coach Kevin Stefanski has expressed confidence in Winston as the starting quarterback, emphasizing that with more reps, Winston will settle into the offense and improve his decision-making.
“I think any player with reps and with time certainly has the ability to settle in or get more comfortable with what we’re doing,” Stefanski said. “Jameis has been here since the spring. We’ve gotten to know him really well on the field as well as off the field, so I think you’re getting to know his comfort level with a lot of things more so with the more reps that he takes.”
While Winston certainly has the arm talent to make plays, his penchant for turnovers makes him a high-risk, high-reward option. For a team like Cleveland, with aspirations of competing in a weak AFC North, the turnover-heavy play of Winston may not be the answer long term.
Draft or Bridge QB?
As the Browns look ahead to 2024, they face a crucial decision at quarterback. If their disappointing 2-7 start continues, they could find themselves in position to draft one of the top quarterbacks in the upcoming draft. The likes of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Michael Penix Jr. could be available if the Browns fall far enough down the draft board.
However, if Cleveland doesn’t land a blue-chip QB prospect, the team may have to turn to a veteran stopgap like Geno Smith. Smith, who has proven he can be a solid starter when healthy and in the right system, could be the ideal bridge quarterback for a team stuck in quarterback purgatory. At 32 years old, Smith still has some good football ahead of him, and if the Browns can get him at a reasonable price, he could provide stability while allowing the team to further evaluate their long-term quarterback options.
Conclusion: The Browns’ QB Future is Uncertain
The Cleveland Browns are in a tough spot at quarterback, with Deshaun Watson’s future in doubt and Jameis Winston showing flashes of brilliance but also major inconsistencies. If Cleveland doesn’t land a top quarterback in the draft, Geno Smith could be a worthwhile bridge option — though he is hardly a long-term solution.
With Watson’s massive contract looming and his uncertain return from injury, the Browns will likely spend the offseason evaluating all their quarterback options. Whether they turn to a veteran like Smith or take a chance on a rookie, the QB situation will be the defining storyline for the Browns as they aim to get back to playoff contention in 2024.
