The Cleveland Browns had three different starting quarterbacks last season under Kevin Stefanski. They combined for the second-fewest points in the NFL and just five wins.
Now that the Browns have hired former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken to replace Stefanski as head coach, a shakeup to the QB room is expected. While Joe Flacco was dealt before the NFL trade deadline, third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders will still be on the roster next season.
Yet, the Browns are expected to bring in someone to either compete with the two second-year players + Deshaun Watson, or possibly even land the starting job upon arrival.
According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, two names Browns fans should keep an eye on are Alabama QB Ty Simpson and Green Bay Packers free agent Malik Willis.
“I expect the Browns to add there, I think the shake-up will be there regardless if it was Monken or someone else,” Fowler said.
Simpson has been hyped as a potential fringe first-round pick, but we’ve seen that before, just last season when Sanders was spoken about in the same regard. With three months to go before the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on April 23, Simpson’s likely draft slot will come into better focus later on.
Yet, with two first-round picks (6 and 24) plus the 39th overall pick, the Browns should have plenty of chances to pluck a top quarterback if their evaluations check out.
Meanwhile, Willis could be ready to produce right away, and the former third-round pick could boast some untapped potential too. Set to turn 27 in May, Willis has led the Packers to a 2-1 record in the past three seasons. He’s tallied six passing touchdowns, zero interceptions, and rushed for 261 yards (plus 3 TDs), showcasing his ability to impact the game through the air and by ground.
Either way, with a new coaching regime coming in, the Browns will have some tough decisions to make at the QB position, and some new competition is sure to arrive in the process.
Related: Cleveland Browns Coach ‘Visibly Upset’ After Todd Monken Hire
