After leading the Cleveland Browns to win against the Baltimore Ravens, Jameis Winston appeared to be a potential backup quarterback. However, Week 9 brought those hopes crashing back to earth.

On Sunday, November 3, Winston threw three interceptions, including his career’s 100th pick, in a 17-point home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Browns lost an opportunity to maybe fight their way back into relevance in the AFC because of turnovers, which have always been the former No. 1 overall selection in the 2015 draft’s weakness.

With Winston as the starting quarterback and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a second-year signal caller, as the backup, Cleveland is currently 2-7.

Due to an Achilles rupture, regular starter Deshaun Watson will miss the rest of the season. In addition to having a salary cap penalty of $73 million in 2025 and 2026 that the Browns are unable to escape, Watson has been awful throughout his three seasons in Cleveland.

The organization now has two options: either try to trade for a young player in need of a new beginning before Tuesday’s trade deadline, or select a quarterback high in the 2025 selection. The Browns might try to sign Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts, but it would be a battle against the clock.

Anthony Richardson, who is younger than the majority of the top quarterback prospects for 2025, symbolizes a shorter-term financial commitment.

The Browns are one of the best places to trade, according to Matt Downey of Chat Sports on YouTube.

Last week, Downey stated, “[The Browns] might win enough games to take themselves out of that top-10 [draft pick] conversation with Winston.” However, they won’t finish in the top 10 [of the NFL] with Winston. Therefore, introducing a young, affordable, big-armed quarterback That actually fits rather nicely, in my opinion, and the contract cost adds interest.

The Browns would likely have to select a quarterback like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders higher than he typically would in most selections if they were to select one in April of next year.

Richardson would be a shorter commitment than one of Sanders and Miami quarterback Cam Ward, a Heisman Trophy front-runner, if he didn’t end up working out because they are both the same age.

Richardson has a club option for the 2027 season and is currently in the second season of a four-year, $33.9 million contract.

Following the quarterback’s divisive move against the Texans, the Browns may give Anthony Richardson a fresh start.

Ironically, the Colts benched Richardson in favor of experienced quarterback Joe Flacco, 39, prior to this week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

After Watson and Thompson-Robinson suffered injuries late in the previous season, Flacco arrived in Cleveland and helped guide the Browns to the postseason.

After Richardson withdrew from the previous game against the Houston Texans, Indy made the decision. He subsequently claimed that he did so because he was “tired.” Both inside and outside of his locker room, the quarterback received a lot of criticism for that choice.

After that fiasco, Richardson might require a whole new beginning with a new head coach, new teammates, and a new fan base, all of which Cleveland can provide.