The Cleveland Browns didn’t land quarterback Malik Willis after all.
Willis was considered to be the top free agent quarterback available, and several teams, including the Browns, were expected to pursue him. Yet, not even an hour into the free agent tampering window opening, Willis inked a hefty three-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million deal with $45 million guaranteed with Willis.
Willis was a third-round pick of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. However, he struggled in his first stint as a starter and was traded to the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Although Willis served as the Packers’ backup quarterback, when he came into relief of Jordan Love, he showed flashes of brilliance.
Willis ended up playing in 4 games, including starting 1 game as he went 30-of-35 for 422 yards, 3 touchdowns. He also didn’t throw a pick, as his accuracy vastly improved. Willis also rushed for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns.
With Willis off the board, the Browns will have some question marks at quarterback, and if they pursue another veteran option.
Browns Were After Willis
Early in the offseason, Cleveland was widely linked to Willis, and the Browns were one of the frontrunners to land him.
Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic said Willis was the team’s Plan A at quarterback this offseason.
“This year, I think the plan is to go get Malik Willis,” Jackson said on Ultimate Cleveland Show. “Right? And if that doesn’t work then the plan is to trade for Anthony Richardson. Or go about another way to get a guy in there to compete. … But I can guarantee you the competition is not just Shedeur vs. Deshaun. It’s either Malik Willis and it’s not a competition, or it’s Shedeur vs. Deshaun vs. someone else.
“They’re out here this week deciding if they want to be in the Ty Simpson business, the Garrett Nussmeier business. They’re talking through trade costs on some of these guys and who might come available.”
Despite the Browns being after Willis, Cleveland wasn’t able to land him as he’s off to Miami.
Cleveland Looking at QB Market
The Browns have Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel under contract for next season at quarterback. Yet, the team is expected to be in the quarterback market.
Browns head coach Todd Monken, however, said the quarterback job will be an open competition.
“It’s an open competition. I mean, I don’t know why it wouldn’t be an open competition,” Monken said this week at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. “I don’t mean that saying it harshly. But I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years, one way or the other, to say, ‘Boy, we have our starter at quarterback yet.’ Whether internally or externally.”
Browns general manager, Andrew Berry, also said the team will look to add a quarterback.
“I would anticipate that there’s at least the chance that we would be a little bit more aggressive relative. I’ll say this, more aggressive than last year. But it’ll be targeted and opportunistic,” Berry said. “I think realistically we may be one more offseason away from being hyper-aggressive in that window. But if there’s something that fits us, fits our roster, fits our timeline, then it’s certainly a swing we’ll take.”
Yet, multiple quarterbacks are already off the board during the opening day of free agency.
Browns Reportedly Lose Out on $67.5M Quarterback in Free Agency