Browns Emerging as Potential Landing Spot for $230.5 Million Quarterback
The Cleveland Browns are still in need of a franchise quarterback and could look at the trade market again.
Cleveland made a bold move to acquire Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans, but it didn’t pan out. The Browns selected Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, but neither appears to be a long-term answer.
With that, NFL analyst Andrew Holleran of The Spun urges the Browns to trade for Kyler Murray from the Arizona Cardinals this offseason.
“The Cleveland Browns are always in search of a quarterback, right? If the Browns choose to hit the reset button again, Murray could come in as provide a veteran presence, perhaps for the next player at the quarterback position, acquired in the draft,” Holleran wrote.
The Cardinals have named Jacoby Brissett the starting quarterback, leaving many to expect Murray to be traded this offseason.
Murray has two years left on his five-year, $230.5 million deal. He was selected first overall in 2019, but he has struggled to live up to the hype as a franchise quarterback. Murray won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2019 and is a two-time Pro Bowler.
Cardinals Make QB Change
Although Murray has been dealing with an injury, the Cardinals did announce a quarterback change.
Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon named Brissett the starting quarterback for Week 10 and in the future.
“So, in my mind, I take all the variables that I have to make a decision and make the decision when I need to, and I think we’re doing a pretty good job on offense,” Gannon said about keeping Brissett as the starter. “I like what the offense is doing right now.”
Murray, meanwhile, was placed on the IR. But before he was placed on the IR, Gannon said Murray is a good teammate and is just focused on getting healthy.
“He’s doing well. He wants to be out there,” Gannon said of Murray. “He’s a competitor. I talked to him today, but he’s a good teammate, and he’s working to get healthy.”
Murray last played on Oct. 5 in the Cardinals’ stunning loss to the Tennessee Titans. This season, he’s thrown for 962 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in five games. He’s also rushed for 173 yards and a touchdown.
Browns Sticking With Gabriel at Quarterback
Despite Cleveland’s offensive struggles, the Browns will remain with Dillon Gabriel at quarterback.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that he would be giving up play-calling duties to Tommy Rees. Gabriel is confident that with Rees calling plays that the offense will have success.
“I think it hasn’t really changed much in terms of day to day, just going about our business that way,” Gabriel said. “But I think it’ll be good, think it’ll be good for the guys and want to get this thing going in the right direction. …
“He’s eager, he’s hungry, he’s got a lot of knowledge. I’ve been a fan even from back in college and seeing what he’s been able to do, but I think he just utilizes players at a high level. But I think with everyone, it’s all coming together. You know, it’s never one person. Definitely there could be times of inspiration and help in that way. But it’s all of us coming together to help each other out and coach is good leader for that.”
The Browns will go on the road to play the New York Jets on Sunday.
Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Put on Notice Ahead of Jets Game
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Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel needs to start producing.
Dillon Gabriel will remain the Cleveland Browns‘ starting quarterback for now, but the rookie needs to start producing in a hurry to keep his job.
Gabriel took over as the Browns’ starter in Week 5. He’s posted a 1-3 record so far and has not provided the spark that the team hoped for after benching veteran Joe Flacco. Gabriel has passed for 702 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. More concerning has been his unwillingness to look downfield. Gabriel is averaging just 4.9 yards per attempt — the lowest in the NFL among starting quarterbacks.
The Browns plan to give Gabriel — a third-round rookie — a longer leash than Flacco. But if he doesn’t turn it around soon, the Browns will start thinking about Shedeur Sanders.
“I think the Browns need to give Gabriel a little more time to come up the learning curve and develop more timing and rhythm with his skill players before they sit him down. I would think they’d want to give him at least another four games or so before seeing what Shedeur Sanders can do down the stretch if he’s ready,” Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said. “But Gabriel must show improvement in the passing game and put some points on the board to keep his job. … It’s not fair to the defense or the rest of the team to field a quarterback who isn’t getting the job done when there are alternatives.”
Browns Announce Major Offensive Change
GettyBrowns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski is relinquishing his offensive playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees
The Browns are not changing quarterbacks but they are swapping play callers. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has relinquished the duties, and first-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will now call the plays on game day. Stefanski said he made the decision after weighing it over the bye week.
“Yeah, I look at everything, every week. Certainly, the bye week gives you an opportunity to look at everything and bottom line is we have to better — we have to better in a lot of facets on the offensive side,” Stefanski said. “I just felt like Tommy is somebody that I believe in. Obviously hired him here a couple years back because I really believe in Tommy as a coach, and he’s done everything that we’ve asked and I just feel like this is the right time for this.”
The Browns’ offense currently ranks near the bottom of the league in yards (263.5) and points (15.8) per game.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Dealing With Back Injury
Getty ImagesBrowns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is still dealing with a back injury.
Sanders did not play during the Browns’ Week 8 matchup due to a back injury he suffered later in the week. He tested it out pregame but the team did not feel like he was ready to assume the backup role. Elevated practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe stepped into that spot.
Sanders received treatmeant on his back through the bye week. He was absent from practice on Monday as the Browns returned from the break. Stefanski did not have much of an update on his fifth-round rookie.
“Still dealing with the back injury, but getting better,” Stefanski said.
Sanders has said previously that he expects to be ready for Sunday’s game against the one-win New York Jets.
