The Cleveland Browns already have an eye towards the 2026 season. But that doesn’t make them seller’s at Tuesday’s trade deadline. In fact, the Browns could make moves to add to the roster in the hopes of picking up a young piece or two to help long-term. Weighing in on team strategy around the NFL, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted Cleveland might “buy” like a playoff contender.
“Most sources believe that the Browns will be aggressive in acquiring players before the deadline.
The Browns do not sound inclined to trade tight end David Njoku, but they have been calling around the league, still looking to add quality young players to their roster.”
The Browns enter their Week 9 bye at 2-6 and last in the AFC North. A place they’re become comfortable sitting. Since the divisions’ formation in 2002, Cleveland has brought up the rear 15 of 23 times. The Browns have yet to win the division. In fact, the franchise’s last divisional crown came in 1989.
To put that in perspective, current head coach Kevin Stefanski was just 7 years old the last time the Browns finished first.
As Schefter noted in the article, Cleveland has been busy doing a mix of buying and selling. The Browns added veteran OT Cam Robinson from the Houston Texans and sent away QB Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, a move much to Mike Tomlin’s consternation. Cleveland’s biggest move was a cornerback swap that sent former first round pick Greg Newsome to Jacksonville in exchange for CB Tyson Campbell, a rare starter-for-starter trade that afforded both players new starts.
Cleveland may buy simply because there isn’t much left to sell. Tight end David Njoku has been the subject of trade talks and would be one potential piece on the move, especially with rookie Harold Fannin Jr.’s emergence. But the Browns have plenty of draft picks that could be used for young and cheap players on multi-year contracts.
Who those players could be aren’t always clear and often surprise. Perhaps a big nose tackle like the Tennessee Titans’ T’vondre Sweat. Or the Browns could try and pick apart the Miami Dolphins or New York Jets’ roster for spare parts. Cleveland badly needs wide receiver help, though none of those teams have pieces who could clearly help. Unless the Browns come in hot for WR Jaylen Waddle.
What matters most in Cleveland is charting a course at quarterback. The Browns’ future at the position is as murky as ever. Dillon Gabriel has kept his head above water but hasn’t challenged defenses downfield and done little to put points on the board. His 4.9 yards per attempt is dead last by a considerable margin.
In four starts, the Browns are averaging just 17.5 points per game and that includes beating up on the hapless Dolphins in a turnover fest where RB Quinshon Judkins scored three times. A faction of fans are pining for rookie Shedeur Sanders. He began the season as the No. 4 and has ascended to the immediate backup thanks to Kenny Pickett’s and Flacco’s trades, but he’s yet to take a meaningful snap. That will probably change by year’s end.
Like clockwork, Cleveland will hold a high draft pick in 2026 and could look again for a franchise quarterback next April in a draft that will take place in Pittsburgh.
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