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Trade pitch has Browns acquiring CJ Stroud.
The Cleveland Browns could swing for the fences to acquire a star quarterback this offseason.
Cleveland has a clear need to find a franchise quarterback, as the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson in 2022, which hasn’t worked out. Yet, Browns analyst Mark Powell of FanSided proposed a stunning deal that would see Cleveland acquire CJ Stroud from the Houston Texans.
Browns acquire:
Texans acquire:
2026 first-round pick (6th overall)
2027 second-round pick
2028 first-round pick
The proposed deal is a stunning deal and sort of resembles the Watson trade. Cleveland traded first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as a third-round pick in 2023 and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024, so it isn’t as hefty a package, but it is still a lot for Cleveland to give up.
Stroud was stellar in his rookie season, but has taken some step backs, but a change of scenery could help him. Stroud would be the Browns’ franchise quarterback and add some much-needed stability to the team.
As for Houston, they’d get two first-round picks and a second-round pick to either trade them for another quarterback. Or, sign a veteran this offseason as a stopgap, but Stroud’s name has come up in trade rumors.
Analyst Explains Browns Trade For Stroud
The Browns have been searching for a quarterback, and Powell believes Stroud is the guy who makes sense.
Powell believes the Browns need to make a big swing, and giving up two first-round picks is a lot. But, if Stroud can be the player he was in his rookie season, he would solidify the position.
“I’ve learned to never doubt what the Browns might do for a superstar quarterback. I am one of the few who thought the Deshaun Watson deal was ridiculous in the moment,” Powell wrote. “Add in the allegations against him, and you might understand why. Stroud doesn’t have any of that nonsense attached to him, so the Texans are right to ask for two firsts and more. While we suggested the Steelers would need to trade three firsts earlier this week, that is because Pittsburgh is a quarterback away from being a real contender in the AFC.
“The Browns are not, and their firsts are far more valuable. Two firsts (potentially top-15) plus an early second is quite the haul for Houston. For Cleveland, it’s the least they can do for a former top-5 pick who has Pro Bowl potential.”
Regardless, it’s a price worth paying for the Browns, especially if Stroud can be the guy at quarterback.
Finding a QB was Key for Cleveland
The Browns have been searching for a franchise guy, and that will continue this offseason.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the team will continue to look for quarterbacks.
“I think for us, I think I’ve mentioned it to at least all of you here, that we go into each offseason as if we have an expansion team,” Berry said. “Particularly a quarterback, where it’s the most important position in sports.
“We’ll always do research in terms of like what opportunities are available on the veteran market and in the draft market. We’ve got to hire a staff first. After that, we’ll certainly pick up the internal assessments with our own roster. But quarterback no different than a number of other positions. You know, we’ll spend a lot of time assessing what options are out there.”
Whether or not Cleveland will be make a bold move for a quarterback is to be seen.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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