The Cleveland Browns are facing a tough situation at quarterback heading into 2025. After a disastrous season in which four different starters combined for just three wins, the team is still searching for stability at the position.
This comes after the 2023 season, which saw five quarterbacks take snaps but at least ended with a playoff appearance—something this season failed to deliver.
To make matters worse, Deshaun Watson has suffered another Achilles tear, likely sidelining him for all of next year, leaving the Browns scrambling for a solution.
On the bright side, Cleveland holds the No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. While this year’s draft class doesn’t feature a clear-cut top quarterback prospect, players like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are expected to go within the top 10.
Some believe Cleveland might opt to use the No. 2 pick on a defensive player and address the quarterback position through free agency. One potential option mentioned is former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields.
Fields, who stepped in as the Steelers’ starter last year due to an injury to Russell Wilson, threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception with a 65.8% completion rate over 10 games (six starts). However, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox doubts Fields would thrive in Cleveland.
“The Browns can’t provide Fields with a better system or the opportunity to establish himself as a franchise quarterback,” Knox explained.
Fields has yet to show he’s ready to be a franchise quarterback, with 45 touchdowns and 31 interceptions over 50+ career games. Despite being given opportunities last season, he failed to make a compelling case for himself. Coupled with Cleveland’s struggles in developing quarterbacks, Fields and the Browns may not be a good match.