March 18, 2026, 4:13 p.m. ET
The Cleveland Browns, after navigating themselves through the 2026 NFL Free Agency, will now look to continue their successful efforts for the rest of the offseason.
General manager Andrew Berry made it explicitly clear that his primary goal in free agency was to address the offensive line prior to the 2026 NFL season by signing multiple interior linemen, including Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins. However, there is one position group that remains a major question mark heading into next season, as the organization’s quarterback room did not receive an addition player in the mix.
As of now, the battle for the starting role will come down to veteran Deshaun Watson and 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders. And with the 2026 NFL Draft lacking depth at the quarterback position, there’s a good chance that the Browns could acquire another player via a trade before training camp.
Luckily for Berry and the front office, the recent deal between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Carolina Panthers for Andy Dalton could open the door for Cleveland to pursue Eagles’ backup quarterback, Tanner McKee.
Why McKee Makes Sense For The Browns
McKee, a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has yet to make his mark in the NFL after spending the last three seasons in Philadelphia. The former Stanford quarterback received his first opportunity at the professional level during the 2024 season, appearing in two games. During his limited playing time, McKee excelled, racking up 323 passing yards and four touchdowns while completing 66.7% of his attempts.
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His strong showing in 2024 allowed him to become the Eagles’ backup quarterback last season. Even though McKee had a four-game sample size, the 25-year-old still showed flashes of promise, throwing for 274 yards and one touchdown throughout the course of the 2025 season.
Depending on how the Browns plan on attacking the upcoming draft, McKee could be an excellent, low-risk quarterback to compete with Watson and Sanders this offseason. While both current quarterbacks on Cleveland’s roster possess similar skill sets, McKee is better known for his ability to play within the structure of his team’s offense, which could make for an interesting twist for the starting quarterback competition.
If the Browns ultimately decide on trading for the young talent, McKee’s high floor will make him, at the bare minimum, a solid backup for newly-hired head coach Todd Monken’s offense in 2026.