The Cleveland Browns are currently slated to start Shedeur Sanders at quarterback for the 2026 season, but the team could acquire a former Pro Bowler to take Sanders' job.
ESPN's Seth Walder believes Kyler Murray will be Cleveland's starting signal-caller in 2026. Walder adds his prediction of the Browns trading a draft pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Murray.
"Cleveland's eternal search for a quarterback could lead it to Murray, especially with the draft lacking top-flight QB prospects beyond Fernando Mendoza. I would expect the Cardinals to eat some of Murray's 2026 money in exchange for a Browns draft pick. Some might clamor to give Shedeur Sanders more development time, but I think that would be a mistake," Walder said.
Arizona is looking to move on from Murray this offseason, and though the former No. 1 overall pick wants to be released, trading him and recouping some draft capital for a once-valuable asset would be the more logical move from the Cardinals.
As for the Browns, acquiring Murray from the Cardinals would give the franchise a solid stopgap starter who would receive the chance to prove he can be the long-term guy in 2026.
Murray missed most of 2025 with a foot injury, but when on the field, there's no denying his talent and skills as a dual-threat signal-caller.
Murray's $230 million contract, which includes $36.8 million in guarantees this year, will be tough for the Browns to take on, especially with Deshaun Watson still on the roster.
However, if the Cardinals are serious about getting Murray off the roster, they should help facilitate a trade with Cleveland to send the Oklahoma product to Todd Monken's squad.
Murray may not be a franchise quarterback for the Browns, but he would provide Cleveland with serviceable play and some excitement in 2026. As for Sanders, Murray joining the quarterback room would likely end his chances of ever developing into a difference-maker for the Browns.
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