The Cleveland Browns just introduced one of the wildest rule change proposals in recent NFL history. They want to take a page out of the NBA’s playbook and be allowed to trade first-round picks five years out, instead of just three.
While that’s not as far ahead as the NBA, which allows teams to trade first-rounders 7 years ahead, it would still incentivize the trade market.
However, the timing of the proposal also raised some questions.
The Browns have been tied to Texas star Arch Manning in the past, and this might be a way to make sure they have enough draft capital to trade for the right to get him in the 2027 NFL Draft. According to team insider Tony Grossi, the Browns are publicly denying that. Nevertheless, he’s not buying it at all:
“The Browns have said, off the record, in the background, ‘This has nothing to do with any trade proposal the Browns are planning, just to be clear,'” Grossi said.
When asked whether team owner Jimmy Haslam was still interested in acquiring the Manning heir, Grossi responded, “Absolutely, yeap.”
The Browns haven’t added any other quarterback to their room, and with Shedeur Sanders starting the last seven games of the season, one can only assume that he’s leading the race to be QB1 in 2026.
However, it looks like the Browns’ owner may consider him just a stopgap at the position. And even though a lot can happen and both GM Andrew Berry and HC Todd Monken should have a say on who’s under center, Haslam is known for meddling and getting deals done even when everybody else in the building doesn’t agree.
That’s how Deshaun Watson arrived in Berea, and that’s how Arch Manning might become the next Browns’ quarterback once he comes out of college.
Granted, the Mannings also have a history of pulling the strings to avoid unfavorable draft situations, so they might go the extra mile to make sure Arch doesn’t end up in Cleveland.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.