Browns should follow John Dorsey’s quarterback philosophy

Adding to — not subtracting from — the quarterback room

Although Garrett Gilbert is a great option to add to the team, there are other players that might also be considered. Again, this has nothing to do with Baker Mayfield. It does mean that someone will compete with current practice squad quarterback Kyle Lauletta.

There might be someone in the NFL draft, though the Browns will be drafting late this time, and the sure-fire pics (Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields will be long gone). Because Gilbert has recent experience with the Browns and Cowboys, he would be more valuable to either of those two teams than the rest of the NFL. Thus, given the choice between Gilbert and a talented rookie, it will take the rookie at least a year to catch up to Gilbert. Re-signing Gilbert makes more sense than a Day 3 draft choice unless the scouting reports are off the charts.

As for other veterans, the Browns would have to be convinced that there is a  quarterback out there who is (1) available and affordable, (2)who would be willing to accept the third-string status in 2021, but (3) who could be developed into a player significantly better than Gilbert and (4) capable of leading the Browns into battle against the Steelers and coming away with the win. If there is a player who meets all four criteria, the Browns may consider making a move.

This fans potential list might  include the following:

1.  Mitchell Trubisky, the soon-to-be-former Bear, is falsely blamed for his team’s terrible offense. He was overrated coming out of college with just one really good season. He’s probably a top 20 NFL quarterback, however. Would he come to Cleveland, with Mayfield as the entrenched starter? Likely he will wind up elsewhere if there is a solid chance to compete for a starting job, but Cleveland might be a possibility for him if that starting job is not available.  His pay scale would be more in line with Case Keenum and less like Garrett Gilbert.
2. Jacoby Brissett lost his job to Philip Rivers even though he played well last season. But Philip Rivers has some history with coach Frank Reich, and he is a borderline Hall of Fame quarterback. Brissett would take a starting job elsewhere if he can get one, but it is not clear if it will happen for him.
3. Jameis Winston was falsely blamed for Tampa’s problems. He’s not very mobile but he can sling it. His high INTs were caused by the style of pass-happy offense they had to play. Watching Drew Brees has got to help him. Winston is still only 26 years old.
4. Josh Rosen was judged to be on a par with Mayfield coming out of college but was stuck on terrible NFL teams. A year under Tom Brady in Tampa may cure his problems, like Winston.
5. Sean Mannion. He played as a backup in Minnesota in Kevin Stefanski’s offense and started one game at the end of the season when Minnesota chose to rest its regulars. He has many of the same attributes as Jameis Winston: Big, strong pocket passer but not necessarily super mobile. At the time of the NFL draft, this fan had Winston and Mannion graded at about the same level.

Of course, these picks are controversial. Were it not so, each of these players would be getting $25 million per year. DPD readers are invited to nominate their own potential targets in the comments space below this article. It is all good, but do not expect massive agreement, because it will not happen.