The Cleveland Browns may be eyeing one of the top free agent quarterbacks available this offseason.

According to longtime NFL insider Jason La Canfora, the Browns are expected to be one of the teams most heavily interested in Green Bay Packers free agent signal-caller Malik Willis.

Advertisement

“One general manager, whose team will be in the quarterback market at least to some degree, pointed to Cleveland and Miami as the teams to beat,” La Canfora wrote on Tuesday. “And another general manager, less inclined to be seeking a new QB, identified that contact Justin Fields signed with the Jets a year ago as a likely template for what Willis can likely land on the open market.”

The Fields’ deal with New York was for two-years, $40 million, with $30 million guaranteed. That’s below Spotrac’s projected average annual market value of $35.5 for the 2022 third-round pick.

Advertisement

It remains to be seen just how active the Browns will be in the quarterback market this offseason. As things stand, Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel are all under contract at the position in 2026.

Many believe Sanders has earned the right to retain the starting job for Cleveland after flashing some impressive moments over eight appearances during his rookie season.

There is certainly reason to want to see more from Sanders; however, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Andrew Berry, wasn’t willing to commit to any signal caller, internal or otherwise, when he spoke on the subject after the season.

Advertisement

“We’re going to do our work on the quarterback market,” said Berry after the team had fired head coach Kevin Stefanski. “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 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.”

Berry also emphasized that the new head coach would have a heavy influence in helping finalize the QB depth chart. That will quickly become a top priority of Todd Monken’s after he finishes filling out his coaching staff.

Monken also wouldn’t outright commit to Sanders or any of the Browns’ current QBs when the subject came up during his introductory press conference.

Advertisement

“Well, I think like any position on the team, that’s still to be determined,” he said. “Am I excited about Shedeur? Am I excited about all the quarterbacks in the room? Am I excited to coach this football team? Absolutely. I can’t wait for them to get back and for us to get started.”

As for Willis, he has quickly blossomed into one of the NFL’s latest reclamation projects at QB. Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2022, the Liberty product flamed out quickly and was shipped to the Green Bay Packers in August of 2026.

With the Packers, Willis has found some steady success as the primary backup to Jordan Love. He’s appeared in 11 games over his two seasons with the franchise, completing an impressive 78.7% of his passes, for 972 yards, while throwing 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He also added 3 rushing touchdowns.

Advertisement

Willis is considered the top free agent QB on the market by many, while Cleveland finds itself in a precarious financial situation as it continues navigating Watson’s albatross of a contract. Still, Berry always finds ways to create the necessary cap space to improve the roster in free agency.

The coming weeks will reveal just how active he and Monken want to be in the QB market.

Browns Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Browns. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.