Browns Forced to Pay 8 QBs as Kevin Stefanski Receives Unfortunate $41.6M News
The Cleveland Browns aren’t just paying for their active quarterbacks. They’re paying for every decision they’ve made in recent years, and the twist that comes with juggling eight names in a single season. As of October 2025, the team has a monstrous $41.6 million tied up in QB contracts and dead money.
Watson, still sitting on the PUP list, is bleeding cap space while waiting for his practice window to open (if it does). Dillon Gabriel ($1.1 million) takes the snaps as the latest starter, and
Kevin Stefanski kept rolling with the punches. He sent Thompson-Robinson to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 5th-round draft pick and Kenny Pickett. Pickett saw some preseason action and ultimately departed for the
The Browns brass has thrown big money at quarterback talent for years. Sometimes for starters, mostly for insurance. Watson’s contract was the ultimate gamble. Now, every snap, whether it’s Gabriel, Sanders, or a future prospect, feels like a pricey coin flip. That’s what their $41.6 million in QB spend looks like: security, risk, and plenty of regret.
But Cleveland has seen every kind of quarterback shuffle by now. From Brandon Weeden to Johnny Manziel to Cody Kessler. This latest version just comes with way more zeros. But with their latest quarterback move, the team seems to be focused on surviving this season and prepping for what’s coming next.
Joe Flacco’s fresh start, and the Browns’ future moves
Joe Flacco was supposed to be the veteran arm that helped Kevin Stefanski get a playoff berth. But with eight turnovers in the first four games, that door closed early. With the latest trade hammer falling, the Browns shipped off Flacco to the
Gabriel gets the job by default, with Sanders shadowing him. Zappe could step up if injuries mount. If nothing else works, the Browns could open Watson’s practice window and eventually hand him the ball again. And that’s all about this season, unless the Browns bring in another quarterback for a quick fix. Meanwhile, the front office is already stacking draft picks. They know this cycle isn’t sustainable. If history repeats, another QB will be on the payroll next year, adding to the running tab.
The upside? As of now, the Browns have 10 draft picks lined up for 2026, including two first-round picks. That could give them a new quarterback, and the rest could be used as trade chips, or simply to reshape the roster. For now, the cost of hope in Cleveland is $41.6 million and counting. The drama isn’t over. And the front office is betting big (again) that the next page finally turns their fortunes around.
Mark Madden: Penguins mix old, new in sharing-the-torch season opener
Some strange things happened Tuesday night when the Penguins opened their season at Madison Square Garden with a 3-0 win against the New York Rangers.
For example, Erik Karlsson played a responsible, mistake-free game. (Except for one gratuitous turnover.) That’s been a rarity during his Penguins tenure, now entering its third campaign.
That performance will likely be the exception to the rule. But something happens to veterans when a lot of kids invade the dressing room.
Kids can bring out a teacher instinct in veterans. A right-way vibe.
New coach Dan Muse knows that. He put out a signpost when he didn’t merely start his first line and top defense pair.
He mixed and matched. It was part old firm, part new guys.
It was Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang along with Harrison Brunicke, 19, and Ben Kindel, 18.
That said something: We’re not passing the torch, we’re sharing it.
Starting Arturs Silovs in goal instead of Tristan Jarry said something, too. Muse seems to be trying to wipe away what’s stale as quickly as he can.
It didn’t hurt that Silovs pitched a shutout, though the Penguins’ defensive effort made certain he was rarely under siege on the way to 25 saves.
Will Silovs start again Thursday in the home opener vs. the New York Islanders? That, too, would make a statement.
It’s good that the Penguins won, even though the priority remains getting a top-five pick in next year’s draft, not squeaking into a one-and-done playoff appearance.
You don’t want the season’s buzz to disappear right away.
You don’t want poor home attendance right off the bat. (I’m curious about the size of Thursday’s crowd at PPG Paints Arena.)
You don’t want the team’s newfound youthful energy to be suppressed. If the Penguins are even near .500 through October and November, that energy should sustain itself all season.
Karlsson’s performance at New York was interesting.
Malkin getting two assists playing between two 6-foot-5 wingers was a different look. Maybe that’s the way to go as age slows Malkin, 39. Malkin twisting forward with the puck through an offensive-zone faceoff to set up Justin Brazeau’s winning goal was beautiful.
Kindel played an amazingly solid game.
Brunicke wasn’t great initially but played a strong second and third period.
The Penguins minimized mistakes. Badger Bob Johnson used to preach the value of fundamentals, and those were on display at New York.
These Penguins have lots of subplots and sidebars.
Let’s not leave Crosby out of the discussion.
Crosby had zero points. But over 200 feet, he was the best player on the ice. He was a buzzsaw down low and in the dirty areas. He was visibly and extremely happy after. Crosby just wants to win.
Those opportunities won’t be as frequent as he likes. It’s good to see the captain savor the flavor.
