The Cleveland Browns may have told edge rusher Myles Garrett who their next quarterback will be, but he's not tipping the team's plans in the month prior to the NFL Draft.
As things stand, the Browns have Deshaun Watson and Kenny Pickett manning the quarterback room, and it's clear neither will start in 2025. Watson is recovering from a (second) Achilles tear, suffered mere months after his initial surgery, and is likely to be sidelined for much of the year. Pickett will come to Cleveland with a Super Bowl ring but much lesser expectations, having long been demoted to the second string.
It isn't entirely clear whether the plan for 2025 involves an established veteran passer or a rookie taken with the second pick come April. Whoever earns that responsibility, though, has plenty of work ahead of them as they hope to bring Garrett back to the playoffs.
Ultimately, Garrett has one requirement for the Browns' next quarterback.
"Any team that's going to go far needs a quarterback and one that's young, can learn and is willing to be patient with the process," Garrett told Browns Radio Network, per a video from Content Browns. "There's going to be some bumps in the road. It's going to be some learning pains. But us as a team has to be able to be a landing pad for him to fall back on, and know being on the defensive side, to help him out whenever things go wrong."
Garrett recently wanted out, requesting a trade from the perpetual dysfunction that is Cleveland football. Hoping to win a Super Bowl before landing in Canton, Garrett became a topic of interest for several teams with real competitive aspirations.
Instead, four years and $160 million kept him in the Browns' grasp, presumably with the condition that the team has some kind of plan under center. That could very well be Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who's expected to be the quarterback taken after Miami's Cam Ward at No. 1.
However, it could also be one of the few veterans remaining, like Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, or a trade for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Related: Browns Meet with Potential Defensive Star Ahead of NFL Draft
Garrett made it clear that finding success will be the entire team's onus, not just his next quarterback.
"That's not for just a young quarterback. That's for veterans and guys who've been here for a while," Garrett said. "So as far as quarterbacks, whether it's one from the draft or an older guy, they have some help not only in their room but from some of the veterans."
The Browns successfully bought Garrett's loyalty, but it may not be for very long if Cleveland's next headliner doesn't pan out. As options come off the board and the NFL Draft approaches, it's only a matter of time before the Browns know who'll carry the burden of increasingly urgent expectations.
Related: Browns Possible Draft Target Won't Work Out for Pro Day
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This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 3:50 PM.