CLEVELAND, Ohio — Scribbles in my notebook as the Browns prepare to face Buffalo:
1. There’s been some media speculation that Deshaun Watson could possibly play at some point this season. Watson has been practicing with the team during the 21-day window for the team to make a decision on his status. I hear it’s doubtful Watson will see the field. Watson is trying to come back from two Achilles surgeries in 2024.
2. From the moment the Browns traded Joe Flacco after his four starts to open the season, the 2025 QB situation has been about the rookies – Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The plan remains for Sanders to start the final three games of the season.
3. The Browns want to see how Sanders responds after his dismal performance in the 31-3 loss last Sunday in Chicago. Sanders was 18 of 35 passing with zero TDs and three interceptions. He took 15 QB hits.
4. Sanders has been hit 28 times in the last two games. That is Tim Couch territory, the Browns rookie who was sacked 56 times in 1999. QB hits were not kept back then. In his 18 quarters this season, Sanders has been sacked 14 times. Some of it is due to the lousy offensive line. But Sanders is taking 3.35 seconds to throw. That is extremely long.
5. The average NFL QB takes about 2.75 seconds. Yes, even a half-second is a big deal. He led Division I college QBs in being sacked in his final two seasons at Colorado – 92 times.
6. The Browns have been pleased with some of Sanders’ long throws, especially to rookie Isaiah Bond. They want him to work on his short passes. He completed 74% of his passes at Colorado in 2025, tops in Division I. He is only at 52% this season. That’s the lowest of any starting QB this season. Video sessions with Sanders show he does have some receivers open for those short, quick throws.
7. The Browns would like to get Quinshon Judkins involved in the short passing game. The rookie running back is suffering from the lack of blocking. He has been hit behind the line of scrimmage on 51% of his runs this season. Cleveland.com’s Dan Labbe had this stat: Judkins has faced eight or more men in the box (near the line of scrimmage) on 46% of his runs. That’s the most in the NFL. Opposing teams want to take away the running game and they don’t trust the Browns’ passing attack to beat them.
8. As for Watson, he likely will be with the Browns in some capacity in 2026. If the Browns cut him before June 1, 2026, they will be hit with a staggering $131 million salary cap charge. After June 1, it will be $81 million. It’s likely the Browns will rework the contract again and spread the money out over several years. For that to happen, he has to be on the team in 2026.
9. While there are huge salary cap numbers tossed around, Watson’s original five-year, $230 million contract in 2022 remains the same. He is paid $46 million annually, ending after the 2026 season.
10. Like all the NFL teams looking for a QB, the Browns have paid special attention to Oregon’s Dante Moore. He was born in East Cleveland and lived in Elyria for a while. He then moved to Detroit, where he was a star at Martin Luther King High. He started his college career at UCLA. After a season, he transferred to Oregon for 2024 – where he backed up Dillon Gabriel. He is a projected first-round pick. He has only 18 college starts so far in his three-year career.
11. The Athletic’s NFL Draft expert, Dane Brugler, on Moore: “Moore is still just 20 years old and will have fewer than 20 career starts on his resume after this season. And, with Oregon’s NIL potential, he’ll also have plenty of reasons to stay in school. But could he pass up a potential spot in the top five? I continue to be impressed with the way Moore has responded to everything Oregon has put on his plate this season. His command of the offense and natural accuracy as a passer are strong selling points for the quarterback he will become in the NFL.”
12. Silly rumor of the week: The Browns being interested in 73-year-old Bill Belichick as a head coach. My sources tell me that has “no chance” of happening. Belichick had a 4-8 record in his first year at North Carolina. In his final two seasons at New England, his record was 8-9 and 4-13.
13. Yes, the Browns have a game this weekend. I long for the days when December football meant something to the fans as it did in 2023. Now, the mood is this: The team is 3-11. Lose the last three games, finish 3-14 for a second year in a row – and draft high.
14. Buffalo has James Cook, who has rushed for 1,415 yards. The Bills have QB Josh Allen, who runs like a fullback according to Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Allen has rushed for 12 TDs. Overall, Buffalo has the top running attack in the NFL. The Browns defense has been savaged by the run in the last three games.
15. PREDICTION: Buffalo 24, Browns 13. My record is 8-6.