The Cleveland Browns parted ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry on January 24, 2025, following a 3-14 season marked by instability at quarterback.[1][2] Deshaun Watson, the team's high-profile starter, missed the final 10 games of 2024 after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon on October 27 against the Cincinnati Bengals.[3][4]

Watson, acquired from the Houston Texans in March 2022 via trade, signed a five-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million.[5][6] In 19 appearances (18 starts) with Cleveland, he is 8-11 as a starter, including a 1-6 record in seven starts during 2024.[7][8]

With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft (April 24-26, Indianapolis), the Browns hold a key opportunity to address the position.[1][2] Among top quarterback prospects are Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes senior and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024,[9][10] and Dillon Gabriel, former Oregon Ducks quarterback who completed 72.9% of passes for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions in his final college season.[11][12]

Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame offensive tackle Joe Thomas, a teammate of Myles Garrett during his early career, described the current defensive end as "the best defensive pass rusher I've ever seen" in a recent interview.[13]

The Browns' facility, CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio, has hosted recent coaching interviews as the team seeks a new head coach ahead of training camp in late July 2025.[1][2]

Sources

1. Cleveland Browns official website - "Browns part ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski, executive vice president of football operations Andrew Berry" - January 24, 2025 - https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-part-ways-with-head-coach-kevin-stefanski-executive-vice-president-of-football-operations-andrew-berry
2. NFL.com - "Browns fire HC Kevin Stefanski, GM Andrew Berry after 3-14 season" - January 24, 2025 - https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-fire-kevin-stefanski-andrew-berry
3. NFL.com - "Browns QB Deshaun Watson reportedly feared to have torn Achilles" - October 28, 2024 - https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-qb-deshaun-watson-suffers-achilles-tear
4. ESPN - "Deshaun Watson has torn Achilles, Browns coach says" - October 28, 2024 - https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42394792/deshaun-watson-apparently-suffered-achilles-tear
5. Spotrac - "Deshaun Watson Contract Details" - Accessed February 2025 - https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/deshaun-watson-19998/
6. NFL.com - "Deshaun Watson agrees to terms on 5-year, $230M fully guaranteed deal with Browns" - March 18, 2022 - https://www.nfl.com/news/deshaun-watson-browns-agree-to-5-year-230-million-fully-guaranteed-contract
7. Pro-Football-Reference.com - "Deshaun Watson Game Logs" - Accessed February 2025 - https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatsDe00/gamelog/
8. ESPN - "Deshaun Watson Stats" - Accessed February 2025 - https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/4036346/deshaun-watson
9. ESPN - "Shedeur Sanders 2024 Stats" - Accessed February 2025 - https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/468579/shedeur-sanders
10. CBS Sports - "2025 NFL Draft QB rankings: Shedeur Sanders tops list" - January 2025 - https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2025-nfl-draft-qb-rankings-shedeur-sanders-tops-cam-ward-jalen-milroe-in-top-10/
11. ESPN - "Dillon Gabriel 2024 Stats" - Accessed February 2025 - https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/gamelog/_/id/4429698/dillon-gabriel
12. NCAA.com - "Dillon Gabriel Career Stats" - Accessed February 2025 - https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/player/657/stat/31
13. Fox News - "Joe Thomas praises Myles Garrett as best pass rusher" - January 2025 - https://www.foxnews.com/sports/joe-thomas-myles-garrett-browns-defense