The Cleveland Browns are approaching the offseason with the same uncertainty that has plagued their quarterback position in recent years.
Following a 5-12 season where three different signal-callers took snaps under center, the franchise is determined to evaluate every potential avenue to stabilize the position.
However, reports indicate that the Browns are unlikely to compete for many of the top free-agent quarterbacks available this year.
One of the notable free-agent options is Malik Willis, the former third-round pick who has spent the last two seasons as a backup with the Green Bay Packers.
Willis started six career games and showed flashes of potential, including a standout performance this season against the Baltimore Ravens, where he completed 18-of-21 passes for 288 yards with two rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown.
Last season, Willis went 2-0 as a spot starter, passing for 550 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Despite these performances, Zac Jackson of The Athletic believes Willis is already off the Browns‘ radar.
“The thought you would get Malik Willis on a one-year, $12 million deal and give him a shot is long gone,” Jackson explained during an appearance on The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.
“The market says he’s getting more money and more years from somebody. I don’t know if the Browns are in that position right now.”
Jackson also weighed in on the Browns‘ internal options, noting that Shedeur Sanders, who started the final seven games of his rookie season, appears poised to take the reins by default.
“I’m trending towards Shedeur having first crack at this job by default. And the other thing is – I can’t believe I’m about to say this – but doesn’t this feel like it’s setting this up to give Deshaun Watson one more chance?” Jackson added.
Watson spent last season recovering from two Achilles surgeries, joining the team for practice late in December but never being activated to the 53-man roster. Despite limited action, Watson left an impression on the Browns organization.
“I’ll say we’re very pleased with how Deshaun went through and attacked his rehab this past year, how he engaged with the team, what he did in the meeting rooms. Very pleased with the progress he made in that regard,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry declared.
“Look, I can never predict the future, but right now we do anticipate him being on the 2026 team. But we have a long way to go before we get to that point with any player.”
Evaluating Sanders and the quarterback market
Shedeur Sanders had an up-and-down rookie season, passing for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and ten interceptions, but he displayed glimpses of promise despite a thin supporting cast. Berry emphasized that the organization is not fully committed to Sanders as the starter moving forward.
“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.
“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.”
The Browns also hold the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming draft but are unlikely to use it on a quarterback, with Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick from last year, still under contract.
The team’s front office appears committed to evaluating both internal and external options to finally bring stability to a position that has long been in flux, a strategy that may define the franchise’s next era.
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