The Cleveland Browns are among the NFL franchises most in need of quarterback clarity heading into the 2026 offseason.
Despite a crowded group of signal callers under contract, inconsistent play from both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel has led analysts to predict that Cleveland could be in the market for a top free agent to stabilize its offense.
According to a recent projection, the Browns are being mentioned as a potential landing spot for former third-round pick and free agent QB Malik Willis, as the former Packers signal-caller would be an upgrade over the team’s current in-house alternatives.
The Browns’ quarterback situation has been a point of contention since the start of the 2025 season.
While optimism surrounded Sanders coming out of college due to his elite production, his transition to the NFL has not yielded the consistency Cleveland envisioned.
In the PFSN NFL QB Impact Metric, Sanders finished with a grade that ranked him 46th among qualified passers, posting seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions in his rookie campaign.
Gabriel, selected ahead of Sanders in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, has struggled as well.
Despite flashes of athleticism and a history of durability and production in college, his impact grade ranked 47th league-wide, with a lower overall score than Sanders’ and an F letter grade in the same metric. It’s clear neither can be considered the Browns‘ long-term solution under center on that basis.
The depth chart also includes veteran Deshaun Watson, who sat out the entire 2025 season while recovering from a significant injury.
Although Watson remains under contract for 2026, questions linger about his ability to return to pre-injury form and lead an offense that floundered through much of last season.
Free agency speculation builds around Malik Willis
With that scenario, ESPN analyst Benjamin Solak projected that Willis could be an ideal fit for the Browns in free agency – particularly under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who has previously worked with mobile quarterbacks and run-oriented passing concepts.
Solak’s rationale centers on scheme fit and the Browns’ pressing need for playmakers at quarterback.
Solak said, “Number one for me is Malik Willis to the Browns. I’m very interested to see where he ends up.
“I think the Browns with Todd Monken, who coached for Lamar Jackson, is a really good fit for what Lamar Jackson did best, what Malik Willis does well.”
Willis‘ recent performance in limited action this past season showed promising efficiency, albeit in a small sample. He completed 85.7 percent of his passes for 422 yards, adding 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns on only 22 rushing attempts.
That dual-threat dimension, combining mobility with accuracy, stands in contrast to the production the Browns saw from Sanders and Gabriel.
While both younger quarterbacks have upside and developmental potential, the metrics suggest neither has yet demonstrated the consistency or impact the Browns need to compete in a division that includes strong defensive fronts and dynamic offenses.
A quarterback room in flux
Cleveland’s ongoing evaluation of its quarterback roster reflects both a need for performance and patience with developing talent.
Sanders‘ rookie season, though imperfect, featured moments of poise and potential, particularly in his accuracy and ability to move within the pocket.
Gabriel, for his part, has shown flashes of athleticism and leadership but has also struggled with consistency and turnovers.
Watson‘s health remains an open question, and if the Browns do bring in a veteran like Willis, it could signal a strategic shift toward bridging the gap between youth and stability.
Many in Cleveland‘s front office may feel that adding competition and experience to the quarterback room could elevate the entire offense.
Cleveland finished last season with the worst offensive impact score in the NFL, highlighting how crucial the quarterback position is to the team’s overall success or failure.
If the Browns pursue free agent help and secure a more seasoned presence under center, it may provide the franchise with the stability necessary to turn its fortunes around in 2026 and beyond.
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