The Cleveland Browns quarterback room is set for a shakeup as second-year signal caller Dorian Thompson-Robinson looks to stake his claim as the franchise’s QB1 of the future. With incumbent starter Deshaun Watson’s future uncertain and veteran backup Jameis Winston’s contract expiring, Thompson-Robinson has a golden opportunity to prove he’s the man for the job in 2025 and beyond.
Thompson-Robinson’s Audition Begins
Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that the 2023 fifth-round pick out of UCLA will start the final three games of the 2024 season, giving him an extended audition to show what he can do. When asked if he views this as his chance to prove he should be the starter next year, Thompson-Robinson didn’t mince words:
“Oh yeah. Best believe we’re trying to take full advantage of it, too. We’re going to go out there and we’re going to try to win these games.”
– Dorian Thompson-Robinson
The young quarterback started three games as a rookie, going 1-2 while completing 53.6% of his passes for 440 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. He’s seen limited action so far in his sophomore campaign, most notably entering in relief of an injured Watson in Week 7 before exiting with a thumb injury of his own.
Watson’s Cloudy Future
Deshaun Watson’s second season in Cleveland came to an abrupt end when he tore his Achilles tendon in Week 7 against the Bengals. It was the latest setback for the star-crossed quarterback the Browns traded three first-round picks to acquire in 2022 before handing him a fully-guaranteed $230 million contract.
Watson has struggled mightily since arriving in Cleveland, posting a league-worst QBR among qualifying passers this year before his injury. With massive cap hits looming in 2025 and 2026, the Browns may look to move on if Thompson-Robinson shows promise down the stretch.
Winston Waiting in the Wings
Veteran journeyman Jameis Winston, who started seven games for the Browns this season after Watson went down, will now back up Thompson-Robinson. The former No. 1 overall pick provided a spark at times, leading upset wins over the Ravens and Steelers. But his propensity for turnovers – throwing an NFL-high 12 picks since Week 8 – led to his benching.
Winston said he still believes he’s shown enough to be a starting quarterback in the NFL and remains open to re-signing with Cleveland in the offseason. But the 29-year-old, who is playing on a one-year, $4 million deal, acknowledged he has yet to engage in extension talks with the Browns’ front office.
A Top-10 Pick in Play?
If Thompson-Robinson falters, the Browns could find themselves in prime position to draft a blue chip quarterback prospect in 2025. According to ESPN Analytics, Cleveland has a 99.1% chance of landing a top-10 pick – which they would assuredly have to use on a signal caller given the current state of the position.
Names like USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and Oregon’s Bo Nix could entice a Browns team in desperate need of stability and starpower under center. But for now, the starting job is Thompson-Robinson’s to lose.
The Road Ahead
Thompson-Robinson’s trial by fire begins this Sunday against the surging Cincinnati Bengals, who boast one of the league’s most formidable defenses. Road tests against the Commanders and Steelers round out Cleveland’s 2024 slate.
It’s a daunting stretch for any quarterback, let alone one with just three NFL starts under his belt. But if the strong-armed and fleet-footed Thompson-Robinson can rise to the occasion and flash his tantalizing potential, he just might lock up the Browns’ QB1 job for 2025 and beyond. The audition starts now.
