It was the only logical decision for Monken to make given that Watson helped the Browns to a 5-3 record before missing last week\u2019s overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints with a concussion.<\/p>\n
Because this is Monken\u2019s first year in Cleveland, a town where manufactured quarterback debates go to thrive, he seemed genuinely puzzled on Wednesday about why he would need to make a formal announcement about the starting quarterback<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t even know why I have to say it publicly, because it\u2019s really only our business in terms of who\u2019s going to play and who\u2019s not going to play. But I mean, he played well enough to earn to still be our starter.\u201d<\/p>\n Even though the Browns now have their starting quarterback established for the rest of this season, there are still going to be questions about what they will do in 2027.<\/p>\n Watson\u2019s contract is up at the end of this season, and no matter what happens the rest of the way, the Browns really need to move on from the most controversial quarterback that has ever been on the roster.<\/p>\n That leaves Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, both destined for careers as backup quarterbacks, and rookie Taylen Green, whose future role in the NFL has yet to be determined.<\/p>\n So the Browns will need a new starting quarterback \u2013 or at least a rookie that projects to actually be a starting quarterback \u2013 which should lead general manager Andrew Berry to select one in the 2027 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n Berry will be holding a pair of first-round selections come draft, both Cleveland\u2019s and the one received from the Los Angeles Rams as part of the Myles Garrett trade, but neither appears as if they will be at the top of the draft.<\/p>\n Which means that Berry will have to either work a trade or wait and see who might fall to him on draft night.<\/p>\n That is the path that The Athletic\u2019s Nick Baumgardner sees Berry taking in this Round 1 mock draft, with Baumgardner projecting that the Browns will be selecting at No. 15 and No. 19 overall.<\/p>\n With quarterbacks Drew Mestemaker (Miami at No. 3) and CJ Carr (New York Jets at No. 6) off the board, but with (gasp!) Arch Manning still in the green room, the Browns select Clemson defensive end Will Heldt with their first pick<\/a>:<\/p>\n Big enough, at 6-6, 260, to be an edge setter, Heldt is also crafty enough with his hands to rack up pass-rush wins. His build somewhat resembles that of Aidan Hutchinson.<\/p>\n Heldt is in his second season with the Tigers after playing two years at Purdue. In 46 career games so far, he has 146 tackles, 19.5 sacks, and 37.5 tackles for loss.<\/p>\n
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