The Cleveland Browns finished with a 5-12 record last season, and they will once again have to figure out who the quarterback will be for the 2026 NFL season. Cleveland started Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel last season. Many Browns fans are wondering if Sanders is going to be the quarterback next season or not. Both he and Gabriel were rookies last season. With Kevin Stefanski no longer the head coach and Todd Monken in the building, well things might be different.
USATSI 28036980 168422142 lowres
Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (95) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in the fourth quarter in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
In the past, the Browns made a trade with the Houston Texans for quarterback Deshaun Watson. That trade did not work out well for Cleveland. Speaking of Houston, is there a chance that they could trade quarterback C.J. Stroud elsewhere in the offseason? That is something to potentially keep an eye on.
NFL Insider Believes That the Cleveland Browns Would Trade For C.J. Stroud But Isn’t Available
USATSI 28036759 168422142 lowres
Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) runs with the ball in the third quarter against the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Texans quarterback Stroud is not available for a trade even with the struggles he had in the playoffs. During the 2025 season with Houston, he completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He is 24 years old and was the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Well, it is no secret that the Browns need a quarterback and Mark Powell of fansided.com made some interesting remarks in his latest column. He said,
“The Browns wouldtrade for CJ Stroud if he were available.That shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone. Stroud, at his best, is one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL, despite his struggles in the 2026 postseason. Stroud is a formerNo. 2 overall pick out of Ohio State. He excelled his rookie year, and has taken some steps back since then. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a young QB with immense potential.
Clevelandhas made this gamble before. Yet, they are Cleveland, a team that is always lacking a star-caliber quarterback. They tried to fill that void with former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Could Stroud, Watson’s heir-apparent in Houston, be the player they were looking for all along?”
The truth is, Houston would not be able to find anyone better than Stroud at the moment, unless they think Davis Mills can be a starter in the league again. Stroud would be better than anyone on Cleveland’s roster, but they don’t have good wide receivers. He thinks that the Browns would have to give up a first-round pick in 2026, a second-round pick in 2027, and a first-round pick in 2028. If the Browns think they are ready to win now, they can maybe try this trade. Otherwise, it would be another dumb decision by the front office if they attempted to make a trade for Stroud.
For More Great Football Content
Follow me on Twitter at @glennkaplan13 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!