The Cleveland Browns enter the 2024 season with more quarterback uncertainty than any team in the NFL. For the third straight year, the franchise faces the unenviable task of finding consistency under center—something Browns fans have not seen since the days of Bernie Kosar. The roster includes three veteran options, two rookies, and a coaching staff that has yet to see a full offseason of stability. Yet, despite the turmoil, there may be a path forward: internal competition, early-season opportunities, and a defense that could keep the team afloat even if the offense sputters.
Who’s lining up under center for the Browns in 2024?
The Browns’ quarterback carousel shows no signs of slowing. Deshaun Watson, the team’s $230 million investment in 2022, remains on the roster but has yet to throw a regular-season pass for Cleveland. His latest setback—a torn rotator cuff suffered in practice—has once again delayed his return, pushing his availability into October at the earliest. Watson’s health, coupled with his uneven play during his limited 2022 action (37.5% completion rate, 0 TDs, 3 INTs in three games), has eroded fan confidence beyond repair.
Behind Watson, the Browns have turned to journeyman Joshua Dobbs, who delivered a surprising Week 17 victory over the Texans in 2023. Dobbs showed poise, completing 66.7% of his passes and avoiding turnovers, but his lack of experience and the Browns’ subsequent decision to pursue a veteran upgrade suggest he won’t be the Week 1 starter. The Browns also drafted Ohio State’s Kyle McCord in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, adding another developmental piece to a crowded room. Rounding out the group is veteran Gardner Minshew, signed in March after his surprising success in Indianapolis, where he posted career highs in completion percentage (67.3%) and passer rating (94.6).
This quartet presents a mix of proven upside (Minshew), unproven potential (McCord), and high-risk/high-reward scenarios (Watson). The Browns’ brass has repeatedly stated they will let the competition play out in training camp, a decision that could either unearth a hidden gem or prolong the franchise’s quarterback woes.
The Watson factor: Can Deshaun turn the corner?
Watson’s tenure in Cleveland has been defined by missed opportunities and lingering concerns about his decision-making. After arriving from Houston in a blockbuster trade, Watson was sidelined by a shoulder injury in 2021, then struggled upon his return in 2022. His mechanics, pocket presence, and ability to read defenses appeared compromised, leading to a league-worst 11.4 yards per attempt in limited action. While Watson’s mobility and arm talent remain elite, his inability to deliver in high-leverage situations has made him a liability rather than an asset.
For Watson to justify his contract, he must reclaim the form that made him a top-10 pick in 2017. His camp reps this offseason have reportedly focused on simplifying his reads and reducing pre-snap motion, but skepticism persists. If Watson cannot win the job outright, the Browns may explore trade scenarios—though his contract and injury history limit his market value. The most likely outcome is a three-way competition where Watson, Minshew, and McCord battle for the starting role, with Dobbs serving as the emergency option.
The Browns’ front office has invested too much in Watson to bench him without a fair audition. However, if he fails to show progress by the midpoint of the season, Cleveland may face an uncomfortable decision: cut their losses or roll the dice on another expensive gamble.
Minshew vs. McCord: The dark-horse candidates
While Watson’s struggles dominate the narrative, the Browns’ most intriguing quarterback battle may be between Minshew and McCord. Minshew, acquired in free agency, brings a veteran’s poise and a knack for making plays outside the pocket. His 2023 season in Indianapolis was the best of his career, and his rapport with new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey—who tutored Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City—could accelerate his development.
McCord, on the other hand, represents the future. The Ohio State product excelled in a pro-style system under Ryan Day, showcasing accuracy on intermediate routes and the ability to process defenses quickly. His draft position (Round 4) suggests the Browns view him as a developmental project, but his polished footwork and decision-making could vault him into early competition. The question is whether McCord can handle the physicality of the AFC North as a rookie.
An internal evaluation will likely determine the pecking order. Minshew’s experience gives him an edge, but McCord’s upside could make him the long-term answer. If neither seizes the job, the Browns may regret not drafting a more proven option earlier.
What’s at stake for the Browns this season?
The Browns’ quarterback situation isn’t just about 2024—it’s about the franchise’s long-term direction. With Myles Garrett anchoring a defense that ranked top-10 in yards allowed last season, Cleveland can remain competitive even with subpar quarterback play. However, the offense’s ceiling is capped without a reliable signal-caller. A poor start could derail any playoff aspirations before October.
Here’s what’s at risk:
- Watson’s legacy: If he fails to turn things around, he joins the list of overpaid busts like Josh Allen’s pre-Bills resurgence or Robert Griffin III’s post-superstardom decline.
- Coach Stefanski’s job security: Head coach Kevin Stefanski has survived two losing seasons, but a third would likely end his tenure. His offensive schemes have struggled to mask quarterback deficiencies.
- Fan patience: Browns fans have endured decades of heartbreak. A third straight year of quarterback chaos could push ownership to drastic measures.
- Draft capital: The Browns’ 2025 draft stock could take a hit if they’re forced to address the position again early in the season.
The Browns’ best-case scenario involves Watson rediscovering his form or Minshew/McCord emerging as a viable starter, allowing Cleveland to build around a young core. The worst-case scenario? A repeat of 2022, where the quarterback carousel stalls progress and the team misses the playoffs for the third straight year.
A path forward—even if the QB play is shaky
Despite the quarterback uncertainty, the Browns aren’t without hope. Their defense remains one of the league’s best units, and if Garrett and the front four can generate pressure, the offense doesn’t need to be elite to win games. The key will be minimizing turnovers and leaning on playmakers like Nick Chubb (when healthy) and Amari Cooper.
The Browns could also benefit from a favorable early schedule, which includes matchups against the Bengals, Jets, and Titans in the first four weeks. If the defense holds up, Cleveland could start the season 2-2 or 3-1, buying time for the quarterback situation to sort itself out.
Ultimately, the Browns’ quarterback competition may not produce a clear winner, but it could reveal a path forward. Whether it’s Watson’s redemption arc, Minshew’s veteran savvy, or McCord’s rookie surge, one thing is certain: the stakes couldn’t be higher for a franchise desperate for stability.
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