Andrew Berry leaves door open for external QB as Browns enter full reset mode

Aman Sharma

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Andrew Berry leaves door open for external QB as Browns enter full reset mode image

Cleveland’s offseason begins with sweeping uncertainty after the organization dismissed head coach Kevin Stefanski following a five-win 2025 campaign.

While general manager Andrew Berry will oversee the search for the franchise’s next head coach, the most pressing question centers on the quarterback position, which remains unresolved heading into 2026.

Berry made clear the team is not locked into any one option under center. Rookie Shedeur Sanders closed the season as the starter, appearing in the final seven games, but the front office has stopped short of naming him the long-term answer.

Cleveland’s recent history suggests caution. The Browns have cycled through 13 starting quarterbacks during Stefanski’s tenure, including seven over the past two seasons alone, and the offense finished 31st in scoring at 16.4 points per game.

Sanders’ rookie year reflected both promise and struggle. He completed 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions across eight appearances.

He also added 169 rushing yards and a score. Despite a standout 364-yard, three-touchdown outing against Tennessee, Sanders posted a 19.0 Total QBR, ranking among the lowest marks recorded for quarterbacks with at least 200 pass attempts since 2006.

Berry emphasized that no decision has been made, saying,

“We’re going to do our work on the quarterback market… I can’t sit here and tell you whether the solution for the starter in 2026 is internal or external.” That evaluation will extend into the hiring of the next head coach, who Berry confirmed will have significant influence on the final call.

Browns weigh all quarterback paths amid roster and cap constraints

Cleveland’s options remain complicated by the presence of Deshaun Watson, whose contract continues to loom over roster planning.

Watson missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from a second Achilles surgery after re-injuring the tendon in January.

Berry said the team expects Watson to remain on the roster in 2026, noting his engagement during rehab and meetings, while also acknowledging the uncertainty ahead.

Behind Sanders, Dillon Gabriel also remains under contract. The No. 94 pick started six straight games before a concussion sidelined him in Week 11, opening the door for Sanders.

Gabriel finished 1-5 as a starter, completing 59.5 percent of his throws for 937 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Joe Flacco opened the season as the starter before being benched and later traded to Cincinnati.

Cleveland’s draft capital adds another layer. The Browns hold the sixth overall selection in the 2026 draft, along with a second first-round pick acquired from Jacksonville.

For Sanders, the focus now turns inward. “It’s not in my hands, it’s not my decision,” he said, framing 2025 as a foundational learning year. As Cleveland resets yet again, that uncertainty defines the road ahead.

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Staff Writer