Browns Looking at Malik Willis and Ty Simpson as QB Options Despite Having Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson Puzzles Fans

A year after battling for the QB1 job with Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders might be put into a similar situation by the Browns once more in 2026.

Browns Looking at Malik Willis and Ty Simpson as QB Options Despite Having Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson Puzzles Fans

Shedeur Sanders and Ty Simpson (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Browns are considering Malik Willis and Ty Simpson as quarterback options alongside Shedeur Sanders.
  • Malik Willis is expected to be a top free agent after performing well as a reliever for the Packers.
  • Ty Simpson is projected to be a high draft pick, potentially available for the Browns at the #6 overall pick.

A few days ago, Mary Kay Cabot reported that the Browns do not consider Shedeur Sanders the nailed-on starter at quarterback. That’s primarily due to Deshaun Watson becoming available once again. However, her latest report signaled that Sanders and Watson are not the only two players in the mix.

The first name on the Browns’ radar is Malik Willis, who will be among the top free agents when the market opens on March 9. Willis performed admirably for the Packers as a reliever after Jordan Love injured himself last year. Widely considered a dual-threat quarterback, Willis is viewed as a long-term solution to the Browns’ quarterback problems.

Ty Simpson is another quarterback whom Cabot believes is an ideal fit for the Browns. Recent mock drafts project Simpson as the second quarterback to be taken after Fernando Mendoza. With Cleveland holding the #6 overall pick, they have a great chance of selecting a quarterback for the future.

The Browns’ desire to add multiple quarterbacks does not sit well with admirers of Shedeur Sanders

The Todd Monken crew are walking the same path as their predecessors did last year. With Watson on IR, the Browns signed veteran Joe Flacco and traded for Kenny Pickett. Additionally, they drafted Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Not only that, they brought in Tyler Huntley midway after Gabriel picked up an injury.

Browns Looking at Malik Willis and Ty Simpson as QB Options Despite Having Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson Puzzles Fans
Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

By the end of the 2025 campaign, the QB room was reduced to just Sanders and Gabriel as the only two active quarterbacks. Gabriel is the least likely to start in 2026, and the Browns may even consider trading him to the Packers in exchange for Willis.

They already know plenty about him [Malik Willis], because they were poised to draft him in 2022 before they made the blockbuster trade for Watson, in which they shipped their No. 13 overall pick that year along with two other first-rounders to the Texans for the 2017 No. 12 overall pick out of Clemson.

Cabot wrote (H/T: Cleveland.com)

This leaves Sanders isolated. He had established a clear lead over the other Browns quarterbacks after a few impressive performances near the conclusion of the 2025 season. Even Monken appeared to be smitten with the Colorado graduate when he first stepped foot in the Cleveland facility. That said, he is increasingly leaning toward a quarterback battle before making his final decision, and this made Sanders fans angry.

The Browns are better off sticking with Watson and Sanders instead of poking around the league. They have their hands tied due to Watson’s inflated $80 million cap hit, so might as well continue with him. Prior to his dreary spell, Watson lit up the league while playing for the Texans. Sanders seems to be on good terms with the CFP champion, so it will also prove to be beneficiary for his growth.

Also Read: