The Cleveland Browns are juggling multiple balls when it comes to the QB position.
They have a special opportunity to add a quarterback with one of the top picks in the NFL Draft.
With the No. 2 overall selection, it’s expected that either Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders – or both depending on what Tennessee does at No. 1, will be available for the Browns to choose from.
They could also explore a veteran stopgap, or even a “name” starter at the position, with guys like Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers maybe looking for work.
Oh, and then there is Deshaun Watson.
Watson is facing a long road to recovery after suffering a torn Achilles in October and then experiencing a setback after that. … and now there are suggestions he might miss the entire year.
Speaking to reporters at the NFL Combine this week, Browns general manager Andrew Berry naturally wanted to take about (and to) prospects like Ward.
But he was also nudged into giving additional details on how Watson suffered the new injury.
“Unfortunately, he turned his foot/ankle that caused the re-tear during the normal stages of the recovery process,” Berry said. “I know there’s been a lot of speculation and everything out there, but there’s nothing nefarious. It’s just an unfortunate accident.
“So, our focus is on making sure that he gets healthy and can be back to normal.”
And what about missing the entire 2025 season?
“He will miss significant time,” Berry said. “How far that spans into 2025? I can’t give you a specific (timeline) right now. He’s shown to be a fast healer and we’re going to try and be as thoughtful and aggressive with the recovery process, but that’s not something that I could predict at currently.”
What the Browns do have control of? Drafting a QB. And in the case of Ward? So far, so good.
“It went real good,” said Ward of his meeting with the Browns brass in Indianapolis. “They do an unbelievable job on offense getting people open. They’ve got an unbelievable offensive line. Jerry Jeudy’s one of the best receivers in the league, so if I’m hoping to go there, I know it’ll work out good.”
Ward is exuding positivity about the Browns and confidence about himself.
“The tape says everything I believe and I’m honest to that,” the Miami star said. “But I think just what separates me from everybody is the way I approach it, the mindset that I have …”
Cleveland needs a new QB. And a new mindset. Maybe the news from the Combine is a launching pad for all of that.