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Browns like surprising QB over Ty Simpson
The Cleveland Browns could make a surprising quarterback selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Cleveland is expected to pursue some quarterback help this offseason, whether it’s in free agency, trade, or the draft. Heading into the NFL Draft, the Browns have been linked to Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson.
Yet, Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland reported that Cleveland prefers Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar over Simpson.
“When it comes to the quarterback room, there’s a greater chance the Browns draft Drew Allar than there is of Ty Simpson,” Grossi said on ESPN Cleveland. “I think it’s just a matter of taking a flyer late, as opposed to devoting a first-round pick on Ty Simpson.”
Entering the college football season, Allar was considered to be a potential first-round pick. Yet, he struggled and then suffered an injury, which ended his season and plummeted his draft stock.
However, at the combine, Allar looked good and could be a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. And, as Grossi reports, the Browns seem likely to take a flyer on a Day 3 quarterback rather than use a first-round pick on Simpson.
If the Browns don’t use a first-round pick on Simpson, Cleveland could look to pursue a veteran quarterback in trade or free agency.
Allar Discusses Browns’ Interest
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, Cleveland has been linked to drafting Allar.
At the NFL Draft Combine, Allar said he has talked to the Browns and said it went well.
“I met with the Browns as an informal interview,” Allar said. “So, yeah, that one went really well. So I actually know the quarterback coach from high school recruiting. He was the OC/quarterback coach at Northwestern when I was coming out of high school. So I was familiar with him going into that meeting.”
Allar, meanwhile, said he grew up a Browns fan as his dad would take him to Browns games throughout his childhood, so getting picked by Cleveland would be special.
“I mean, yeah, I think any team or any opportunity that I have to play in the NFL would be a dream come true,” Allar said. “I mean, that one would be really cool and surreal. Just because I grew up going to Browns games and grew up a Browns fan. But any opportunity that I have is one that I won’t take for granted.”
Allar finished his college career throwing for 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Cleveland to be Aggressive in QB Search
The Browns have Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel all under contract for next season, but the team could look to add a quarterback.
At the combine, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the team would be aggressive in looking to add a quarterback.
“I would anticipate that there’s at least the chance that we would be a little bit more aggressive relative. I’ll say this, more aggressive than last year. But it’ll be targeted and opportunistic,” Berry said. “I think realistically we may be one more offseason away from being hyper-aggressive in that window. But if there’s something that fits us, fits our roster, fits our timeline, then it’s certainly a swing we’ll take.”
Whether or not that will lead to a bold move to acquire a quarterback is uncertain.