Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) passes in opposition to the Houston Texans within the first quarter at NRG Stadium. credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports activities
Within the aftermath of one of many extra tantalizing NFL drafts in latest reminiscence, a slew of groups face lingering questions with 4 months remaining within the offseason.
Do the Cleveland Browns have their franchise quarterback(s)? What do the Atlanta Falcons do with the highest-paid backup within the league? Are the New Orleans Saints already considering forward to 2026? And … good day, Steelers?
These are just a few of the wonderings that groups and fan bases must sit with till the grueling football-less summer season involves a detailed.
Cleveland Browns Quarterbacks
Everyone knows the Shedeur Sanders buzz in the course of the draft will ultimately subside. From the epic slide down the draft board to the ill-conceived prank name from a rival defensive coordinator’s child, the Colorado quarterback skilled a whirlwind of feelings and a nosedive not many noticed coming.
He feels like a Cleveland Brown already.
It’s doubtless Normal Supervisor Andrew Berry is combating for his job, even with a brand new contract signed final summer season. The horribly failed Deshaun Watson experiment can also be his to personal.
However now Berry and firm need to decide. Within the crowded Cleveland quarterback room, who takes the season-opening snap?
Watson suffered a ruptured proper Achilles in October and a subsequent setback within the restoration course of in January. He’s more likely to miss all the 2025 season. Behind him: 40-year-old Joe Flacco, journeyman Kenny Pickett, Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, whom the workforce drafted within the third spherical—two rounds forward of Sanders.
For a franchise that has traditionally mismanaged quarterbacks, it wouldn’t be an offseason with out query marks beneath middle. Regardless of the usage of two draft picks to assist flip across the workforce, FanDuel Sportsbook has Flacco as the favourite to begin the 12 months (+116), adopted by Pickett (+220), Sanders (+370) and Gabriel (+830). To the shock of no one, the Browns are the runaway favourite to complete final once more within the AFC North (-200).
Kirk Cousins Commerce
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) and Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell discuss after the sport at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures A reputation linked to the Browns within the pre-draft cycle was that of veteran Kirk Cousins, the 36-year-old backup quarterback scheduled to gather a base wage of $27.5 million in 2025. Simply months into his Atlanta Falcons profession, Cousins was benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. Given Cleveland’s assortment of potential starters, it is unlikely Cousins will waive his no-trade clause to hitch that prepare wreck.
Cousins, who threw for 18 touchdowns and a league-leading 16 interceptions final season, has expressed his need to not solely proceed taking part in however be a starter.
Atlanta, which is “comfy with holding Cousins on the roster as Penix’s backup,” bypassed the March 17 deadline to launch Cousins and keep away from the $10 million bonus he was entitled to. The Falcons additionally stored him by means of the NFL Draft. After Cleveland made it identified it wasn’t fascinated by Cousins’ providers, the Pittsburgh Steelers—who’ve been closely linked to Aaron Rodgers—look like Cousins’ final hope to begin earlier than 2025. If Pittsburgh passes, he’ll doubtless stay a Falcon barring any last-second trades.
New Orleans Saints Quarterback Scenario
Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) walks the sphere earlier than a recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders at Caesars Superdome. Obligatory Credit score: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Pictures Since Drew Brees, the most effective participant to ever don the black and gold in New Orleans, retired on the finish of the 2020 season, the Saints have began Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, Ian Guide, Andy Dalton, Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Winston will get additional credit score for beginning for each the Browns and Saints.
Carr, who’s coping with a shoulder damage and isn’t anticipated to be on the roster after 2025, could have a substitute in 2026. It’s truthful to say the franchise wasn’t considering of that substitute on this 12 months’s draft.
With the fortieth choose, New Orleans chosen Tyler Shough, a 25-year-old, six-year school participant, as its possible starter this season. That has the Saints among the many favorites to overlook the playoffs and contend for the highest general choose subsequent 12 months. For a workforce in determined want of its subsequent savior beneath middle, 2026 is shaping as much as have favorable choices. They might embrace Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar, LaNorris Sellers and Cade Klubnik.