Browns QB named as option to be traded

Could the Cleveland Browns be looking to trade a quarterback? That is apparently something that could happen in the eyes of one individual. CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin has identified Cleveland as having one of five quarterbacks who could be on the move.

Benjamin recently put together Five QBs who could still be traded before start of 2024 NFL season: Cowboys, Falcons might be sellers, with the Browns making an appearance on this list. But which quarterback could be on the outs in Cleveland? According to Benjamin, it may be Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Benjamin notes that despite making a few appearances last year in relief of an injured Deshaun Watson, that the acquisition of a couple of notable quarterbacks could have sealed his fate. Cleveland signed Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley this offseason, fortifying their quarterback depth behind Watson. This was a must for the Browns as the play of Thompson-Robinson and PJ Walker was inadequate, forcing the team to make a late-season signing of Joe Flacco. Flacco has now signed elsewhere, forcing the team to find other suitable options in Winston and Huntley.

The logic is sound, but is it probable?

No one should argue with the thought process here from Benjamin. The Browns have their starter (Watson) and two capable backups (Winston and Huntley). The logical thing to do here is to believe that Thompson-Robinson could be traded. However, that may not be the case here.

If anyone has paid attention to the current Cleveland Browns regime, they know that general manager Andrew Berry is not one to let people go after a brief period. Berry has doubled and even tripled down on players that he believes in, with very mixed results. Considering that Berry was part of the decision-making group that brought Thompson-Robinson to Cleveland just last year, a departure seems unlikely. 

While Benjamin does note that the Browns could attempt to move him to the practice squad. However, this would allow another team to sign him and could make the Browns hesitant to explore this option.

Is it possible that the Browns trade last year’s fifth-round pick? Absolutely, but the organization will explore every other option to possibly retain his services before doing so first.