The Browns’ quarterback situation could go in a number of directions this offseason. The status quo would see Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson compete for the starting gig, but an outside addition will be explored. 
March will see the free agent and trade markets take shape, and Cleveland will do homework on the top options set to be available. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com specifically names Malik Willis as a passer on the Browns’ radar at this point. That makes Cleveland one of many potential suitors in his case.
Willis is widely seen as the top quarterback on track for free agency. A Packers departure is expected, as the open market is set to present him with a starting opportunity. Cleveland had already been named as a team to watch on the Willis front, with the same also being true of Pittsburgh and Miami. The Dolphins in particular have Willis connections in the form of new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head Jeff Hafley. The 26-year-old could also be pursued by the Cardinals, provided they move on from Kyler Murray.
As Cabot notes, any veteran addition made by the Browns this offseason will not be a short-term rental but rather a passer viewed as having starting potential beyond 2026. That could certainly be the case for Willis if his market reaches expected levels, despite the fact he has only made six starts in the regular season. Cleveland’s financial situation will once again be impacted by Watson’s heavy cap charge, so it would be difficult for the team to win a bidding war.
That leaves the draft as another route to landing a new QB. On that note, Cabot writes Ty Simpson is among the prospects receiving attention in the Browns’ case. The Alabama product is seen as the second-best passer in this year’s class, owing in large part to Dante Moore‘s decision to remain in school for 2026. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is on track to be drafted first overall by the Raiders, but Simpson’s landing spot is much more difficult to project at this point.
Having only made 15 starts in college, Simpson is viewed as having notable upside but will carry risk based on his short track record. The 23-year-old’s 2025 season also did not finish nearly as well as it began, something which could hinder his stock. Nevertheless, the Browns – who own two first-round selections along with one in each of the second and third rounds – will have ample opportunity to make another QB investment in April.
Truly the last place I would go as a quarterback right now, and I say that with all due disrespect to the Jets, Dolphins, et al. All five offensive linemen might be gone. Their number one receiver right now is Jerry Jeudy. I like Monken well enough as a coach, but if you’re Willis, one dicey year as a starter could easily be your *only* year as a starter.
I can see a one and done choice there easily.
Might as well be Doug Judy for how the Browns handle things
As an admittedly biased Browns fan, I’ll give you the Dolphins. Give me the chance to play with Achane and Waddle any day, even if the rest of the roster isn’t very good. But I believe in Hafley long term, and Slowik is apparently the only coordinator who can get solid play out of CJ Stroud so that situation wouldn’t be terrible.
But there’s not a team in the NFL, CFL, or USFL that I’d put behind the Jets. I like Garrett Wilson, but you can at least squint and recognize that Monken has shown the ability to cater an offense to the strengths of his quarterback and that’s probably more valuable than anything the Jets can offer.
I agree with your point that you need to be careful with picking your landing spot, and the Browns are absolutely a dumpster fire…but there’s no way I’d pick the Jets.
I’m admittedly a Jets fan and think they’re a mess in a number of ways (not only a lame duck head coach, but Frank Reich in 2026? Really?). But I still think it’s a better situation for a quarterback, simply because they have two promising young tackles (Mambo I would already call very, very good) and at least one more good lineman in Tippmann, plus Garrett Wilson. The Jets are a mess, but that’s a lot more of a supporting cast than Cleveland has right now, and I don’t see how the Browns can get their line in order and improve their receiver group all that much in one offseason.
But also we’re talking about the bottom of the barrel here either way.
Yeah admittedly we’re just comparing trash to trash lol
I respect that view though. I imagine the Browns will get either a WR1 or a building block at tackle in the draft, but I doubt they’d be able to get both. Ideally either Tate at 6 and a lineman at 24, or Mauigoa/Fano at 6 and a receiver like Boston at 24 if he’s even there at that point.
The Browns’ MO under Berry has usually been to trade for receivers needing a change of scenery though, so I’d imagine they’ll add someone before the draft.
Dolphins only have 3.5 mil in cap space…..I suspect Willis ends up with the Cardinals
last place to go as a quarterback? how about any position? poison city, poison owner,, poison team.
I understand your comment, but it’s not accurate. Yes, the offense has been horrendous, and ownership is terrible. But the team has had legitimate stars at several positions, even in their darkest years.
And the greater Cleveland area is actually quite nice. I lived there for many years and loved it (I left for a career move).
Interesting how browns could handle this. Part of me thinks give Shedeur a real shot in camp compete with Watson and let winner try to win many games as possible
I agree..they need to go with what they have. They keep throwing money literally away.
Yea and ‘27 draft is loaded with QBs
Same things were being said about 2026 class this time last year. Things change!
I would not count on next year’s draft. “Stuff” happens. I would however, build around the QB this year and get the base down. See if any QB they have can work.
I can’t imagine they’d be happy trotting Watson out there.
He’s entering final year of 230 mill payday. He needs to do something lol
Keep his head down until he can get cut and take his wasted fortune into the sunset. That’s all he needs to do. Too late to justify anything good.
2027 is Watson’s final year
No it’s not. He signed 5 years 230 mill guaranteed 2022. 22,23,24,25,26. That’s 5 seasons
They can’t trade him..might as well play him if he wins job.
Dillon Gabriel started 1 less game than Shedeur, had a higher completion percentage, had the same number of passing TD, and 1/5 the interceptions. Shame his dad isnt as loud as Shedeurs…
He also had an average depth of target of 6 yards meaning majority of his throws are averaging 5-7 yards down field
Sanders by contrast was around 7.5-7.7 almost 2 full more yards thrown down field
Gabriel managed 3 big time throws
Sanders managed 10 big time throws
Gabriel was credit with 10 turn over worthy plays while Sanders was credited with 15 turn over worthy plays
Gabriel isn’t a starting NFL QB doesn’t have the arm strength
If the Browns can actually get Sanders to become half as decent as Josh Allen (52.8% and 58.8% his first two years 10 TDs 12 ints his rookie year) they have something there
Sanders will never be anything close to Josh Allen.
half as decent as Josh Allen
You get sanders in the
63-64% range
Get the turn overs down
He starts taking what’s given instead of trying to wait for big plays to open or guys to get open down field
Live another down
May never be an mvp guy but could be a good QB for a long time if he can do the above
I just don’t see it happening.
He’s honestly only even in this position because of his last name.
Sanders doesnt have the arm strength either. Its slightly better than the lefties.
Sanders’ physical gifts are a liiiiiiiiiiittle bit different than Josh Allen’s.
Did you watch the games though? Gabriel is just a left-handed Desmond Ridder.
Sure, he won’t turn it over, but there’s absolutely no threat of him moving the ball downfield. They don’t have the offensive playmakers to be so reliant on an athletically limited quarterback, and it was impossible to get Judkins going since defenses could stack the box since there was no threat of Gabriel moving the ball downfield. If you go three and out every time, is that really any better than pushing it downfield and turning it over?
I’m not saying Shedeur is necessarily good (although given their apparent lack of options, I’d roll with him next year unless you can get Willis), but his upside is significantly higher than Gabriel’s. He at least has a shred of playmaking ability and is able/willing to throw more than five yards downfield.
Dillon Gabriel only averaged 9 yards a completion .. of course he looked better …. he never aired it out, and simply dink n dunk the ball ….. Shedeur got the ball down field, something Gabriel couldn’t
Quantity over quality? Why not get Winston at least we know he can still throw a dart and hail mary’s.
Hard pass on Simpson. An older prospect with experience is fine, as is a younger prospect with limited experience.
But an older prospect with limited experience? No thanks. He was pretty bad down the stretch too.
Is being reported that he played last few games of season 20+ pounds underweight due to an illness.
Unclear if that is fact or fiction.
Willis would be a fool to go there. He should have his pick between 2 or 3 other teams if not 3 or 4. No reason to even think about that dumpster fire organization.
So the Cardinals, Jets and Dolphins aren’t dumpster fires too? I mean recent success goes to Cleveland
Id pick Vikings if I were Willis
I’d rather they draft Cade Klubnik or Cole Payton then over draft Ty Simpson…..
Klubnik in that offense would be hilarious. You would get Christian Hackenberg-level incompetence.
Spend your capital elsewhere. We have too many holes to fill and anyone they sigh they are going to have to pay more than top dollar to get them to Cleveland.
The Browns already have an all-pro QB. Why acquire another?
I could see the browns surprise and draft Simpson with their first pick, just for Simpson to become another Brandon Weeden
I think this writer has been partying with mike the pillow guy too long.
Get as many teams as possible in on him. Please. I want an extra 3rd next year.
Browns fan here. They cannot afford Willis (thank you Haslam and Watson). Even if they could, would you pay him the $30+M he’ll assuredly get, based on only a handful of games?
I would also pass on any QB in the draft until at least the 5th round and then I’d be hard-pressed to take a flyer on anyone even there*. Use the top 4 rounds to get at least 2 OL, a WR and maybe a TE. CB and LB depth is needed, too. Heck, I could see trading down a few spots (Cowboys?) and getting another 1st round pick. Maybe add talent via FA after restructuring Watson and probably Ward.
Let Watson and Sanders fight out it for QB1. Neither one will get the Browns deep into the playoffs, and maybe not even into the playoffs, but there’s no affordable FA or potential drafted QB who would do any better this year.
Build the base for the next QB. Who knows, with a full offseason of work with the “1s”, a new system and a better supporting cast, Sanders **might** be the guy. Doubtful, but odder things have happened.
* One caveat: if they trade or cut Gabriel, then, sure, take another QB late for long term development.
Over/under on how many QBs the Browns have in camp: 8.5?
The Browns had a solid year at QB in 2025. With three different starting QBs throughout the season, it marked their fewest different starting QBs since 2022.