Getty
Anthony Richardson Sr. #5 of the Indianapolis Colts could be traded to the Cleveland Browns.
As things stand for the Cleveland Browns, the 2026 quarterback room will look pretty much the same as the 2025 quarterback room, with the only exception being that Deshaun Watson will be healthy. Shedeur Sanders will come in as the incumbent starter, and Dillon Gabriel will be trying to hang onto a roster spot. It was the worst quarterback group in the NFL last season, and it’s shaping up to be much the same this year.
Yes, we are more than two months into the offseason and almost a week into free-agency negotiations and the Browns have given nearly all their attention to the offensive line, while the limited number of quarterbacks on the market have been finding new teams. The Browns did not make a serious pitch for top free agent Malik Willis (now with the Dolphins), nor for Kyler Murray (Vikings) or Tua Tagovailoa (Falcons).
Those were always longshots, anyway. The most likely path to securing a new quarterback was always going to be a trade, but the guy the Browns have been most closely linked to via trade–Anthony Richardson of the Colts–might not be so easy to acquire.
Anthony Richardson Could Land With Packers
That’s from a new report from ESPN’s Stephen Holder, who covers the Colts and says there has been little movement on the Richardson front–and that a much better option than the Browns is emerging for Richardson. That’s not great news for the Browns.
Holder wrote on Twitter/X: “Update on Colts QB Anthony Richardson, who is available via trade. No deal is imminent, per multiple sources. There are interested teams, but the dust is still settling from free agency. One particular team to monitor: the Green Bay Packers.
“Richardson, who has been given permission by the Colts to seek out a deal, would be attracted to a situation that pairs him with a proven QB developer. There are several coaches out there that check that box, including Matt LaFleur.”
Browns Could Offer Anthony Richardson Playing Time
Richardson was the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft out of Florida, and came into the NFL as a raw prospect who had started just one season–12 games–for the Gators. His inexperience has shown as a pro, and he’s been further hampered by injuries. The Colts are committed to Daniel Jones as their starter, and have allowed Richardson to seek a trade.
If his goal is development, landing in Green Bay makes some sense, though he would not get much of a chance to play if Jordan Love is healthy. The Browns would offer a better shot at playing time, but the question would be how Richardson views new Browns coach Todd Monken–who has spent 25 years of his career coaching in college–as a developmental mentor.
Browns head coach Todd Monken
GettyBrowns head coach Todd Monken
Browns Will Have ‘Open Competition’ at QB
For now, Monken has vowed to conduct a level competition for the job of the Browns’ quarterback. At the combine, he indicated that he did expect at least another name–maybe that will be Anthony Richardson–to be added to the mix, but so far, he has the same group.
“I think it’s an open competition,” Monken said. “I mean, I don’t why it wouldn’t be an open competition. I don’t mean that saying it harshly, but I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years one way or the other to say, boy, we have our starter at quarterback yet. Whether internally or externally.”