We really won’t have much of an idea about the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation until the 2017 NFL Draft concludes later this month. As of right now, Cleveland has Brock Osweiler, Kevin Hogan and Cody Kessler under contract at quarterback.
Needless to say, this trio of signal callers won’t instill fear in opposing defenses for a Browns team that finished last season with one win.
Despite this, Cleveland seems intent on letting the cards fall where they may with their current cast of quarterbacks. The team has clearly stated that it won’t be trading for a veteran quarterback between now and the end of the draft. In addition to this, any idea given to Cleveland trading down from No. 1 overall can pretty much be thrown out the window.
In talking about Osweiler specifically, VP of football operations Sashi Brown seems confident that the Houston Texans castoff will be competing for a starting job during the summer.
“We expect Brock to be here. He’s in, done a good job, coming in the first couple days. Positive young man,” Brown said, via NFL.com. “He’s got some ability and talent and we look forward to him trying to establish himself here and have a chance to compete to be the starting quarterback.”
Osweiler was acquired from Houston last month in what was nothing more than a salary dump by the Texans. At that point, reports surfaced that the Browns would either trade or release him. Now, with the team’s other veteran options falling by the wayside, Cleveland might be forced to give Osweiler a chance to start in 2017.
The reality of the situation is that Cleveland must find itself a franchise quarterback. Whether that happens during the 2017 NFL Draft or next spring really doesn’t matter. This team isn’t contending for anything of substance over the short term. That could enable the Browns to potentially see if they have anything in any of the three quarterbacks they currently have under contract.
Then again, this could all be nothing more than spin aimed at throwing other teams off when the draft comes calling next week. In addition to the second overall pick, Cleveland selects 12th in the first round. It could look quarterback with that selection.