The Cleveland Browns are expected to add to their quarterback room in some way, shape or form this offseason. The question nobody has an answer to yet it who?
And while some believe Cleveland could make a run at top free agent QB Malik Willis, there’s a sense following this week’s NFL Combine, that Willis is more likely to end up somewhere else.
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According to some intel picked up by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, several teams are expected to be in on Willis, but the Browns feel like an unlikely destination.
“Expect at least two and possibly several teams to be involved on Willis,” wrote Fowler. “Miami is definitely in,” a source said. Arizona is combing the market, too, but it doesn’t seem likely that Willis will end up in Cleveland.”
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It’s a critical development in the Browns’ quest for a franchise quarterback. As things stand right now, Cleveland is carrying three QBs on its roster, including veteran Deshaun Watson and 2025 draft picks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
Executive Vice President of Football Operations Andrew Berry could look to the veteran market, the NFL draft, or both to add more signal-callers to the roster. Fowler’s report doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t at least attempt to sign Willis. It just points out that it’s unlikely the 26-year-old lands in Northeast Ohio.
Conversely, there’s plenty of speculation that Willis’ ends up with the Miami Dolphins, considering his ties to head coach Jeff Hafley and new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan from their shared time in Green Bay.
Fowler also revealed that Willis is expected to land somewhere in the range of $20-25 million annually, wherever he lands.
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If WIllis is off the menu for Cleveland, it could potentially pursue former 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson, who the Indianapolis Colts recently gave permission to request a trade. Of course, Berry could look at a journeyman vet.
There’s a chance he and his staff, along with new head coach Todd Monken, also take a liking to one of the QBs in this rookie class as well. Or, maybe they’ll decide to ride it out with the trio of quarterbacks they already have in tow.
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