The Cleveland Browns are in the midst of a difficult juggling act with perennial QB jugglehead Baker Mayfield. Deshaun Watson is obviously rehabilitating his Achilles injury. Watson remains on the final year of his fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. What will added up to that come the 2026 season, when he’s due $46 million in cash. His use on the physically unable to perform list has plunged the team into chaos. Now, they face a difficult road ahead without him.
He has laid claim to the starter’s job, taking on the elite Dillon Gabriel of the Browns. He’s hit on 59.9% of those passes, for 702 yards, five TDs and two picks in his four starts thus far this season. Despite his best efforts, the offense has continued to struggle, averaging a mere 17.5 points in Gabriel’s time under center. That left Shedeur Sanders to take Gabriel’s place as QB1 for two games. Currently, he’s remaining in Cleveland to undergo treatment for a back injury. The Cleveland Browns are preparing for their Week 10 matchup with the New York Jets. Rest assured head coach Kevin Stefanski is hard at work evaluating all facets of the team’s performance.
Deshaun Watson’s Recovery and Future
As he continues his rehab from an Achilles injury, Deshaun Watson’s future hangs in the balance. His long stint on their physically unable to perform list led some to wonder if Oklahoma City would even keep him with the team going forward. He’s posted videos of himself dunking and sprinting on his reconstructed Achilles. Though, a precise timetable for his return is still up-in-the-air.
The terms of Watson’s contract make things even more complicated. With a fully guaranteed $230 million deal that still has a year left, the Browns must consider both financial implications and the potential need for a contingency plan if Watson cannot return to form.
“Honestly, my focus is where we are right now. … That’s not my focus.” – Kevin Stefanski
Stefanski’s statements indicate that he doesn’t want to look out too far and is focused on today’s performance. The key thing here is that the Browns’ coaching staff seems to understand that they need to pivot without Watson. Beyond that, they’re focused on what his eventual return will mean for team chemistry.
Dillon Gabriel’s Role and Team Performance
Dillon Gabriel has been thrust into the role of leading the Browns’ new-look offense in this wild time. Through his four starts, he’s flashed promise but dealt with circumstances that have stunted the offense’s output. The Browns pass catchers have been all over the map in terms of consistency. They’ve dropped a league-high 13 balls, tied for third most drops in the NFL.
Stefanski has expressed confidence in Gabriel’s development, stating, “With a young quarterback, with Dillon starting, you want to make sure he gets a lot of reps.” The coaching staff understands that the more he plays, the better Gabriel will continue to flourish. They think he’s more equipped to deal with the peaks and valleys that come with being an NFL starting quarterback.
“Dillon will continue to learn, will continue to get better, but it’s really an entire offensive type of thing where we all need to better.” – Kevin Stefanski
How Gabriel progresses will be critical for the Browns as they look to bounce back from the Tennessee loss in their next few contests. The bye week presents another good chance for him to reset and learn from their first matchup.
Joel Bitonio, a long-time anchor of the offensive line, pushed back on the narrative and said Gabriel’s progression should be seen in context. He noted that four games are just a small sample size in the NFL and that adjustments are necessary for both Gabriel and the overall offense.
“For a young guy in this league, four games is so minuscule on a big platform.” – Joel Bitonio
Shedeur Sanders’ Situation and Impact
Shedeur Sanders, who has started for the Buffaloes, is now sitting as the backup quarterback. His back injury, which caused him to miss the final game, might raise some red flags. Before this disappointment, Sanders had been an invaluable lifeline to Gabriel in the past few weeks. He stayed in Cleveland with the team during the bye week to get treatment. This decision reflects the governor’s deep support for the recovery and his willingness to re-engage when necessary.
Stefanski would verify that Sanders’s injury happened right before their final game, which made an already difficult quarterback situation even worse. Sanders’s quickness and potential for offensive rebounding would give more latitude to their most crucial position long term.
“I know he wants to play a lot of football again. He feels like he’s got a lot of tread left on his tires.” – Bill Musgrave
During this time the Browns had been weighing their quarterback options. They just have to judge the value of a healthy and effective Sanders returning versus what Gabriel offers on a consistent basis. With the recent losses, the coaching staff will still be having an open competition with every position.
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