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As the countdown to the 2025 NFL season continues, the Cleveland Browns find themselves once again in a familiar position: the center of a quarterback controversy. With training camp heating up and preseason looming, the question on every fan’s mind is simple — who will be the Browns’ starting quarterback in Week 1?
Let’s break down what we know — and what it could mean.
Deshaun Watson: The Incumbent with Expectations
Deshaun Watson remains the presumed starter — at least for now. After serving his suspension in 2022 and showing flashes of promise in 2023, Watson entered last season with sky-high expectations. But the results were uneven. His arm talent remains elite, and when he’s on, he can make plays few other quarterbacks can. But inconsistency, injury concerns, and chemistry issues have made it difficult for him to string together dominant performances.
Why he could start Week 1:
- Massive contract investment.
- Former Pro Bowl talent with big-play ability.
- The front office still believes he can return to form.
Why he might not:
- Health questions persist.
- Camp reports say his accuracy has been shaky at times.
- A strong preseason by a backup could complicate things.
Jameis Winston: The Veteran Challenger
Signed as a high-upside backup, Jameis Winston came to Cleveland knowing a shot at starting wasn’t out of the question. He has experience, arm strength, and a history of lighting up the stat sheet — for better or worse.
Why he could start Week 1:
- Strong command of the offense in camp.
- More consistent accuracy than Watson so far.
- Stefanski values decision-making — Winston may simply be outperforming him.
Why he might not:
- Turnover issues still haunt him.
- Would be a tough message to send benching your $230M QB.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR): The Wild Card
Don’t count out DTR. The second-year quarterback has quietly put together a solid offseason. He knows the playbook, has improved his reads, and brings dual-threat ability that fits well in Stefanski’s system. Coaches have praised his growth.
Why he could start Week 1:
- Earned trust in 2024 fill-in starts.
- Strong locker room support.
- Could be the best “system fit” option.
Why he probably won’t:
- Still raw compared to veterans.
- Team is likely to keep him in a developmental role — for now.
Kevin Stefanski’s Criteria: Accuracy and Consistency
Stefanski hasn’t tipped his hand much, but one thing is clear — he’s looking for accuracy and consistency. Those two traits will be the deciding factors heading into Week 1 against the Ravens.
Here’s what Stefanski told reporters earlier this week:
“We need to be efficient. We need to be smart with the football. Whoever gives us the best chance to win — that’s our guy.”
Our Prediction
Week 1 Starter: Deshaun Watson — but the leash is short.
The Browns are heavily invested in Watson, and unless an injury or total collapse happens, he will almost certainly start. But Winston is making a real push, and if things go sideways early, don’t be surprised to see a quick change.
This is a quarterback room with real depth — and for once in Cleveland, that’s not a problem. It’s a luxury.
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