The Cleveland Browns have watched options fly off the board early in the offseason as they search for their next starting quarterback.
Between Aaron Rodgers' shrinking market and possible suitors either staying home (Kirk Cousins) or signing elsewhere (Justin Fields), there are few, if any, inspiring options left for the Browns.
That has left Cleveland with Russell Wilson as the frontrunner to be next season's veteran quarterback, and a rookie at No. 2 remains in play. If Wilson returns to the Pittsburgh Steelers or puts pen to paper with the New York Giants, though, things could get dire.
Mary Kay Cabot reported that the Browns "have mutual interest" in signing former top quarterback prospect Carson Wentz should a Wilson deal fall through.
It goes without saying that Wentz is about as far removed as possible from being the No. 2 pick and kicking off a Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl run finished by his backup, Nick Foles. In the years since, he has fallen out of favor in Philadelphia, perpetuated the Indianapolis Colts' post-Andrew Luck mediocrity, and struggled with the Washington Commanders.
He has spent the last two seasons as a cameo character, backing up Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes with the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively. In 2024, he returned to the Super Bowl, albeit as a backup in defeat.
In search of a starting opportunity, the Browns make sense – for him. A job is a job, and the opportunity to start doesn't come around very often.
Related: Russell Wilson Flirts with Browns and Complicates Matters for Steelers
For Cleveland, however, it's hard to be optimistic about Wentz doing much more than holding the door open for a rookie. In essence, it would likely only be a starting job until the No. 2 pick is ready to officially end the Deshaun Watson era.
The Browns aren't likely to compete in 2025. That might be reason enough to bring in Wentz and ride out the season to another fourth-place finish and whatever offseason theatrics follow, rather than paying draft capital for a higher floor or signing a bad contract.
If fans are holding out for competence, an acceptable Wilson deal remains the likeliest option. Wentz, nor a journeyman second-stringer, is just that – a backup plan.
Related: Browns Ignore Quarterback in 2-Round Mock
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This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 12:53 PM.