There’s a chance that, when the dust settles on what has already been a very busy Cleveland Browns offseason, the team determines that the best way forward at the most important position in sports–quarterback–is to give the back end of 2026 another go-round. Shedeur Sanders was the starter for the final seven games and led the team to a 3-4 record, a considerable improvement on the 1-8 start the team had under Dillon Gabriel and Joe Flacco.
But that is a longshot. Though the Browns won three games, Sanders was far from impressive, going for 1,400 yards in his eight appearances, throwing seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions on the year. While he was better equipped to take deep-ball shots down the field, the advanced numbers did not like Sanders much–Pro Football Focus graded him a 44.1, or 37th out of 37 quarterbacks the team graded this year.
So, in looking at what’s ahead for the Browns, especially at quarterback, finding a replacement–or at least competition–for Sanders next year is paramount.
Browns Can Trade for or Sign a New Quarterback
At The Athletic, Browns beat writer Zac Jackson pointed out that there may be a chance that the new head coach the Browns hire will believe in Sanders as the QB1 of the future. But that is a longshot. Instead, Cleveland can be expected to consider free-agent targets and draft picks to address the hole at quarterback, with an outside chance at a trade.
Writes Jackson: “Unless the new head coach and Berry believe Shedeur Sanders can use 2026 to really take off and become the team’s long-term starter, the Browns have to explore every possible quarterback scenario in the draft, free agency and potentially via trade.
“Last year’s draft-night trade with Jacksonville was made with the idea that the 2026 first-round pick Cleveland acquired could be used on a quarterback, but this year’s draft class seems thin on top-level passing prospects. Further evaluations and decisions will be made in the weeks ahead.”
Browns QB Room Already Crowded
It won’t be easy to add more to the quarterback mix for the Browns. It is widely expected that Deshaun Watson, because of his enormous salary, will return for next season, and he will need a place in the quarterback room, even if he does not get on the field. If the Browns keep Sanders, they could add another quarterback but probably won’t want to keep three on the roster.
Besides which, it will be difficult for the Browns to find a capable starter either in free agency or by trade. There are few options on the free-agent market–Malik Willis?–and the trade options are not great, either. The Browns could gamble on a reclamation project like Mac Jones, but Cleveland’s many offensive holes would likely leave Jones exposed.
Geno Smith? Kyler Murray? Tua Tagovailoa? There isn’t much by way of inspiring possibilities on the trade block.
GettyQB Tua Tagovailoa
‘A Lot of Progress With’ Shedeur Sanders
It is entirely possible that here in mid-January, the Browns do not necessarily know where they are heading in terms of their 2026 quarterbacks. In his postseason meeting with reporters, general manager Andrew Berry said that there were things to like about Sanders, but that the team would be looking at the quarterback market, too.
“I think we saw a lot of progress with Shedeur this year. I think that’s both mentally, physically, playing the position,” he said. “He’s still very much a work in progress like many rookie quarterbacks are. But I think we saw some really good things in terms of his playmaking, his accuracy, his ability to extend them with his feet. …
“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.”
Browns Expected to ‘Explore Every Avenue’ to Replace Shedeur Sanders