If the Cleveland Browns make a run at San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones, they shouldn’t expect a bargain.
The Browns head into yet another offseason of quarterback uncertainty after a 5-12 campaign. As it stands, the Browns have three quarterbacks under contract for next season: Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel.
Sanders started seven games, going 3-4 in those starts while passing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Gabriel — a third-round pick — was largely disappointing during his six starts, while Watson missed the entire year recovering from Achilles surgery.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry declined to back Sanders. He said that he’s not sure if the next starting quarterback for the team is “internal or external.”
“I think we saw a lot of progress with Shedeur this year. I think that’s both mentally, physically, playing the position. He’s still very much a work in progress like many rookie quarterbacks are,” Berry said. “Now that all being said, we’re going to do our work on the quarterback market. It’s too important of a position and it’s something that has to be solidified. I can’t sit here and tell you today, you know, whether the solution for or the starter in 2026 is internal or external. But it’s something that we’re going to work through over the next several weeks. And quite honestly, the new head coach will also have a lot of input into that as well.”
49ers Expect Mac Jones Back Next Season
Jones has emerged as a popular target of speculation. The former New England Patriots first-round pick signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers last offseason and was pressed into action when Brock Purdy went down with an injury. Jones went 5-3 as a starter with San Francisco, throwing for 2,151 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear the team has no plans to move on from Jones, signaling that any trade talks would start at a premium.
“You always listen to people with trade offers,” Shanahan said. “We’re also not into getting rid of good players, so I’d be very surprised if Mac wasn’t around us next year.”
San Francisco general manager John Lynch echoed that sentiment.
“Mac made this place better and picked us up in a huge way … Can’t say enough about his play but also his leadership,” Lynch said.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders: Can’t Speak on What Others Feel
Despite receiving little public backing from Berry, Sanders still appears to be the leading candidate to open next season as the Browns’ starting quarterback. Cleveland holds two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, but the team is not expected to use either on a quarterback in what many evaluators view as a thin class at the position.
Sanders is not going to spend his offseason sweating what decision could be made about his future as the starter.
“I think I did what I was able to do, and I definitely grew from a lot of things, and I got experience now,” Sanders said. “So, I’m always the same, confidence-wise, I’m there. But like, that’s not in my hands. Like, that’s not my decision. I can’t speak on what other people feel.”
There’s still a long road ahead before the Browns have clarity on Sanders’ future, and much of it hinges on who ultimately becomes the next head coach.
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