INDIANAPOLIS – When it comes to the quarterback position, head coach Kevin Stefanski's view on the importance of the position hasn't changed.

Players at the position must be cerebral. There's a high level of leadership that factors into the position. But as offensive schemes have evolved, the way the game is played and the style in which the quarterback position is played has changed with them.

As the Browns embark on their journey of adding depth at quarterback – whether through the draft or in free agency – Stefanski noted that there are different options the Browns will consider as they make their decisions.

"There's some really exciting young players in this draft that you're looking at," Stefanski said. "There's obviously work to be done in free agency and all those types of things. But I think we're looking at all avenues."

Throughout the week at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, the Browns have met with a multitude of players as they continue their evaluation process. Cleveland could have up to 11 picks in this year's draft, giving them a number of opportunities to add talent to their roster.

With the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, players such as QB Cam Ward, QB Shedeur Sanders, CB/WR Travis Hunter and Edge Abdul Carter have surfaced as potential names at the top of the draft. Ward and Shedeur lead the conversation for the top quarterbacks in this year's class.

"This is a really good class from top all the way through," Stefanski said. "(We) mentioned Cam and Shedeur, but there's really good players like throughout this draft at that position. I could go through some other positions, but I'm impressed with the whole group."

On Feb. 26, Stefanski said members of the coaching staff met with a handful of quarterbacks such as Ward, Sanders and Jalen Milroe. In those meetings, they ask the quarterbacks similar questions so they can compare answers during their evaluation process. But then, when they put on the tape, Stefanski said they watch that individual player's tape and ask questions tailored to their plays.

These meetings – while short stints of just 20 minutes each – are important, according to Stefanski. It gives the coaching staff and front office a chance to learn what they can about each prospect. Stefanski said the goal is to get a feel for both the player and the person, as well as see how they view the game.

Yet, these meetings are just the first step. Teams have up to 30 visits ahead of the draft to bring in prospects to continue their evaluation. Stefanski said those visits allow them to spend a whole day with a player.

"We have a version of this is you can install plays to them, you can walk through those plays," Stefanski explained. "You can put them on the board and see how they retain those plays. So, there's a lot to learn. And this is a piece of it. This Combine is piece of it. The 30 visits are a piece of it. The pro days are a piece of it. All of it's a big evaluation. It's all encompassing."

Throughout this process, though, there are traits of a quarterback Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and Stefanski have identified as important. Rees has highlighted the importance of decision making.

While both Berry and Stefanski agreed with the significance of decision making, Stefanski added the value of accuracy. He also explained decision making on a deeper level, in terms of the ability to process.

"I think every single play as a quarterback you're doing something – whether it's a run check, or it's a motion, a decision that you're making based on a safety's depth – all those types of things factor into decision making," Stefanski said. "I think accuracy, obviously, innate ability to put the ball where it needs to be is important. […] . So, I think all these players are different. All their traits are different. So that's where it's so important for us right now, down here, on the 30 visits, on the pro days, just to get to know the person, get to know the player."

As they evaluate the talent and consider the fit of a potential quarterback, not only in the draft but also in a veteran, Stefanski said part of their job as coaches is to fit talent into the schemes. Their goal is to look for talented football players and he doesn't believe in looking just for a scheme fit on the potential of passing on a more talented player.

With that comes a level of adaptability. Stefanski said as a staff they have to be adaptable to talent because it provides the opportunity to put the best team on the field.

As Stefanski and the Browns coaching staff – as well as the front office – navigate through the remaining days of the combine and the offseason, they will continue their evaluation process for the quarterback position. Decisions on the future of the quarterback room for the Browns are still to come. But as the Browns meet with prospects and gather their intel, as well as work through free agency set to begin in March, the picture for the future of the quarterback room will begin to surface.

"This is a process," Stefanski said. "It's one thing to watch the tape, and then you got to get to know them, and you got to make phone calls on them. Then you got to get to their pro day. There's so much that goes into this evaluation, and we're in the middle of it. We're not there yet."