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Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry did not rule out trading one of his quarterbacks — Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson.
If another team comes calling about a member of the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room, the door won’t be shut.
Cleveland is currently set to carry Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders under contract next season, but the organization continues to cast a wide net at the position. The Browns are evaluating every avenue — free agency, the NFL Draft and potential trades — as they look to stabilize the most important spot on the roster.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry made it clear he’s not ruling anything out.
“I’d say this, more generally with trades, I think you guys know I’m always super active,” Berry said from the combine on Tuesday. “Part of your job is to listen.”
It’s unknown which, if any, of the Browns quarterbacks would draw interest via trade. Sanders is the assumed frontrunner for the QB1 job, while Gabriel struggled as a rookie and Watson missed all of last year and hasn’t played a full season since 2020.
External candidates for the Browns include free agent Malik Willis and draft prospect Ty Simpson out of Alabama.
“It’s the most important position,” Berry said. “We wouldn’t talk about it any differently if you’re drafting an O-lineman or a D-lineman or something along those lines. I don’t think that you can invest in it enough.”
Browns Give Directive to Shedeur Sanders
Sanders started seven games as a rookie. He passed for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. It was turbulent at times but Sanders also played behind a patchwork offensive line and a lack of weapons around him.
Berry laid out what he wants to see from Sanders moving forward if he wants to remain in the mix to be the starter.
“The biggest thing that we want to see from Shedeur is just continued growth,” Berry said. “He grew a lot from start one to start seven. I think certainly playing more efficiently, not putting the ball in harm’s way as much would be important while maintaining the ability to produce out of structure and generate explosive plays.
“The biggest thing that he can do is learn the new offense, get in with the coaching staff once our offseason program starts, continue to work on his body physically and then make strides when we actually get on the grass (in May during organized team activities).”
Browns Confident in Deshaun Watson After Injury
Watson is the wild card in the situation. He’s by far the most accomplished passer on the Browns roster but is also coming off two Achilles surgeries that forced him to miss all of last season. The expectation in Cleveland is that Watson will compete for the starting role.
“Any player on our roster we would want to compete,” Berry said. “We believe in competition at every spot. That’s no different at quarterback. Deshaun’s been working really hard, he’s been working his tail off. And like I said, we’re excited to go in April with all of our players across the roster because competition is something that we really believe in.”
Watson has been quiet this offseason but a clip recently surfaced of the three-time Pro Bowler training in Florida in preparation for what will be his final season under contract with the Browns.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
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