Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry has always begun NFL free agency period with a “splash” signing or two.
Not that these signings amounted to much, but at the time they seemed grand: OT Jack Conklin in 2020, CB Troy Hill in 2021, 2022’s DT Taven Bryan, S Juan Thornhill for 2023, and LB Jordan Hicks last year. Some hits, and some misses.
So, it was a very unusual first day of free agency for the Browns 2025 edition. No splashes, no rumors, and no excitement of what is next or an unexpected player signed right at noon.
Browns fans can decide how they feel about the one move that was made.
However, there was a trade. The Browns are getting QB Kenny Pickett in exchange for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR) and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick. No, really.
The Browns starting QB, Deshaun Watson, appears his injury to his Achilles heel will not heal before the season opener. It has been rumored that Watson may not play at all in 2025. So, DTR was the only quarterback on the roster. Now that he is gone, Pickett is the only quarterback on the roster.
Which seems strange since Cleveland set an NFL record for most starting quarterbacks in consecutive seasons with nine. Now, they are technically down to one healthy signal caller.
On the surface, this trade appears to be one developmental QB disappointment for another developmental QB disappointment.
The trade
What is behind the trade?
For one, the Browns went into Day 1 of the free agency period without a starting quarterback. Or a backup quarterback