List Of Cleveland Browns Starting Quarterbacks Since 1999

Deshaun Watson’s arrival at the Cleveland Browns was met with excitement and anticipation. The franchise, starved for some sinal-caller success, had finally landed a franchise cornerstone. However, Watson’s career in Cleveland has been far from a fairytale.

In his limited starts (12 games across two seasons), Watson has shown glimpses of his true potential. He has accumulated a decent 8-4 record, showcasing his dual-threat ability with 2217 passing yards and 14 TDs.

However, his legal saga is ongoing and has cast a dark cloud over his achievements, raising questions about his franchise QB suitability.

From backing up legendary Tom Brady to stepping into starting roles in various franchises, Jacoby Brissett embraced his 2022 stint with the Cleveland Browns.

Thrust into the starting duty due to Deshaun Watson’s suspension, Brissett had faced immense pressure.

Nevertheless, Brissett made a 4-7 record in his 11 starts, showcasing his poise and leadership. His passer rating (88.9) and completion percentage (64%) were both career highs, displaying his ability to manage the Browns’ potent offense.

While not flashy, Brissett’s efficient play kept the Browns competitive and instilled confidence in the team.

Baker Mayfield’s Browns starting career was a rollercoaster of hope and frustration. A first overall pick in 2018, Baker immediately sparked excitement and led the Browns to their first playoff win in 27 years, earning 2nd place in the Rookie of the Year award.

His charming personality and clutch throws quickly made him a fan favorite. However, inconsistency and injuries plagued his later seasons.

Despite flashes of brilliance, Mayfield finished with a 29-30 record, falling short of the great success that Cleveland craved.

A 2017 second-round draft pick, DeShone Kizer was thrust into the starting role as a rookie, facing great pressure with high expectations.

Kizer’s rookie year began with a bang. He threw his first career TD pass in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers of his debut. He also orchestrated a 12-play drive that ended with a 1-yard rushing TD. 

These initial moments showcased Kizer’s talent and potential.

However, the rest of Kizer’s season proved to be a struggling uphill battle. The Browns finished the year winless, and Kizer led the league with 22 interceptions.

Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Kessler saw his starting opportunity due to injuries of Josh McCown and Robert Griffin III. Kessler’s stint as the Cleveland Browns starting QB was brief but left a mark on the franchise’s history. 

Kessler started eight games that season, completing 65.2% of his passes for six TDs and two interceptions.

Despite a glint of competence, the signal-caller’s time at the Browns was marred by losses, as he finished 0-8 as a starter. His limitations in arm strength and playmaking ability ultimately led to his benching.

Josh McCown’s two-year tenure as starting QB for the Cleveland Browns (2015-2016) was filled with rollercoasters. He showcased moments of individual brilliance amidst the backdrop of a struggling franchise.

McCown’s entry in 2015 brought a veteran presence and a gunslinger mentality. He entertained the stadium with his arm, setting franchise records for consecutive games with over 300 passing yards (3) as well as yardage passed in a game (457).

However, wins were scarce under McCown. His lone win came as a thrilling OT comeback against the Baltimore Ravens in 2015, which remains a cherished memory for Browns fans.

In the 2014 season, Brian Hoyer found himself put into the starting role due to other QB injuries. He exceeded expectations, leading the Browns to a 6-3 start, their best in over two decades. His effective leadership and play-calling sparked hope in a fan base starved for success.

Despite the initial success, Hoyer’s time as the Browns’ starter was short-lived. Injuries and inconsistencies halted his success, and he was eventually traded away.

However, his overall 10-6 record as a starter remained the highest winning percentage by any signal-caller since 1995 in the Browns history.

Weeden’s time as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback was an interesting ride filled with highs and lows. 

His rookie season started shaky, with an abysmal 5.1 passer rating and four interceptions in his debut. Nevertheless, he bounced back the next week with two TDs and a 114.9 passer rating.

Despite a franchise QB hope, Brandon struggled with consistency. He completed only 55.9% of his passes in his Browns tenure, throwing 23 TDs and 26 interceptions in his 20 starts.

After facing constant competition for the starting job, he eventually lost it to Brian Hoyer in 2013.

A 22nd overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, Brandon Weeden holds the NFL’s oldest first-round pick record at 28.

Drafted with high hopes in 2010, Colt McCoy unexpectedly took the helm in his rookie year due to plaguing injuries. McCoy’s stint as Cleveland’s starting QB was a good tale of “what if?”

Moments of hope, like the 2-1 start, were quickly overshadowed by inconsistencies and a losing 6-15 record in two seasons. Though Colt endeared himself to fans with his determination and leadership, his lack of wins ultimately led to his departure.

While his Browns tenure didn’t deliver the playoff dreams, McCoy’s determination cemented his place in Cleveland’s QB history, leaving the fans contemplating what could have been with a stronger supporting cast.

Signal-Caller Seneca Wallace’s starting job for the Cleveland Browns was a short one. Hailing from the Seattle Seahawks in 2010, Wallace was seen as a veteran presence who had the chance to stabilize the Browns’ ever-shaky quarterback situation.

However, Seneca’s tenure as the starter was filled by both injuries and inconsistent performances. He only started 7 games over two seasons and compiled a 1-6 record. While Wallace displayed his dual-threat ability, his accuracy and decision-making had been erratic.

Irrespective of his struggles, Wallace remains a popular figure among the Browns fans. His infectious enthusiasm and leadership qualities made him an overall good athlete in the eyes of Cleveland’s faithful.

A Heisman Trophy contention, Brady Quinn fueled expectations for a Browns resurgence. Drafted 22nd overall in 2007, the Cleveland Browns fans saw Quinn as a beacon of hope.

However, Quinn’s starting career in Cleveland was ultimately marred by inconsistency and the Browns’ ongoing struggles, while still displaying glimpses of talent.

He earned the starting duty and displayed a record-breaking performance against the Chicago Bears, where he threw 3 TDs in one quarter. He led the Browns to wins over the Chiefs and Steelers, momentarily silencing any doubters.

The Browns’ offensive line often failed to provide Quinn with adequate protection as Quin got hit with 19 sacks in 2009. Despite flashes of promise of passing 3,043 yards, Quinn’s starting record as a Browns QB stands at a disappointing 3-9-0.

Acquired in 2005, Derek Anderson found himself as the 2007 season starter, leading the team to a 10-5 starting record and a Pro Bowl presence. His knack for big plays and strong arm captivated Cleveland fans.

But, inconsistencies plagued Anderson’s performance. He battled turnovers and injuries and often lost the starting job to Brady Quinn. Despite flashy moments, his rollercoaster tenure ended in 2009.

Derek’s legacy remains a complex scenario. He holds several Browns franchise records, such as the most passing touchdowns in a season (29). Yet, Anderson’s struggles and inability to sustain success left unfulfilled potential.

Charlie Frye, the hometown hero drafted in 2005, embodied the hopes of a Cleveland Browns fanbase starved for success. 

Frye’s first NFL start came in 2005, firing two TDs to fellow rookie Braylon Edwards and setting a franchise record for passer rating in a debut. 

Charlie finished with a disappointing 4-9 record despite flashes of brilliance. He was often overshadowed by costly turnovers. The Browns’ winless 2007 season further dimmed his star.

His 2008 stint with the Seattle Seahawks offered a brief resurgence by throwing for 333 yards against his former franchise. He showcased huge potential but still struggled with accuracy.

Frye’s potential ultimately remained unfulfilled as he departed the Browns in 2010. 

As a starting QB for the Cleveland Browns, Trent Dilfer’s time was a short but turbulent chapter in his decade-long NFL career. Signed in 2005 as a veteran guide for rookie Charlie Frye, Dilfer unexpectedly found himself under the spotlight for the entire season.

While boasting the personal best completion percentage of his career (59.8%), his play callings were inconsistent, categorized by 11 TDs and 12 interceptions.

He also clashed with offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, leading to a strained atmosphere, and eventually helped create a 6-10 record that season.

Although Trent’s Browns’ stint did not bring as much success as he hoped for, it served as a bridge between his Ravens Lombardi Trophy victory and his later career as an NFL analyst.

Jeff Garcia’s stint as the Cleveland Browns’ starting QB in 2004 produced mixed results. Signed with high hopes to replace the veteran Tim Couch, Garcia showcased flashes of his Pro Bowl-caliber talent in his rookie year and eventually led the Browns franchise to a 3-7 record in his 10 starts.

However, inconsistencies and injuries plagued him, resulting in a disastrous performance against the Dallas Cowboys that cemented his benching.

He finished his Browns tenure with respectable stats, i.e. 1,731 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, but Garcia’s eventual unsuccessful season left Browns fans yearning for a more stable signal-caller.

His short stint in Cleveland marked a chapter of “what could have been” in the franchise’s QB rollercoaster history.

Holcomb’s chance arrived in 2003 after years as a backup QB. He seized the opportunity and outplayed the highly-touted Tim Couch to win the starting job.

His defining moment came in the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he led Cleveland to near victory before a heartbreaking loss.

Likewise, Holcomb had a mixed 2003 season where he showcased his talent but also struggled with consistency. The Browns lacked the supporting cast to fully unlock his potential despite making the playoffs.

In 2004, Holcomb ultimately got benched due to Injuries and a decline in offensive production. Although he returned to start a few games, the Browns ultimately moved on. Holcomb’s Cleveland career ended with 12 starts, 3,438 passing yards, and 26 TDs.

Tim Couch, the 1999 first-overall draft pick by the Cleveland Browns, was the Heisman Trophy winner from Kentucky. As the QB starter for five seasons, Couch’s tenure displayed moments of triumph, heartbreaking losses, and unfulfilled potential.

Couch showed his talent early, but led the Browns team to a bad 2-12 record in his rookie season. However, in 2001, he made a 7-9 starter record, passed for 3,040 yards, and was on the cusp of stardom.

The Browns’ offensive line struggled to protect him, leading to a league-high 56 sacks in his rookie year. Moreover, a revolving door at the head coach and offensive coordinator departments disrupted any sense of stability.

A Jacksonville Jaguars head coach today, Doug Pederson spent briefly for the Cleveland Browns as the team’s starter. He was thrust into the starting role after Tim Couch and Ty Detmer’s injuries plagued the QB department.

The former QB started eight games for the Browns and helped compile a 1-7 record, a losing record. His sole win as a Browns starter came against the New England Patriots, led by none other than legendary Bill Belichick.

His 20-37 passes for 138 yards and 1 TD in that match remain a bright spot in his Browns tenure.

With Pederson’s experience and leadership, he helped stabilize the Browns offense during a tumultuous season. He paved the way for younger QBs like Spergon Wynn and contributed to the team’s progress.