Were Browns eyeing surprising quarterback move during draft?

At this time last year, scouts and analysts projected the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the most quarterback-rich classes in years.

Ultimately, most of the projected first-rounders fell short of expectations, and while they were still drafted, only two signal-callers went in the first round.

That's why, even though the Cleveland Browns might still need a quarterback, they opted not to address the position until the sixth round with a developmental pick.

Nevertheless, Yahoo Sports insider Jori Epstein, who was in the Browns' draft room for Day 1 of the event, hinted at the team's potential desire to take Alabama's Ty Simpson.

The Browns were keeping an eye on Ty Simpson

Browns general manager Andrew Berry's intel suggested that the Los Angeles Rams would take Simpson, as they did.

"Particularly after the Rams selected Ty Simpson 13th overall (and Haslam exclaimed to a surprised draft room, “Andrew knew that a week ago!”), the Browns joined 31 other teams in eschewing quarterbacks for the next 51 picks," Epstein wrote. 

While Berry then claimed that the team was happy with the way things turned out, the fact that the Browns were keeping tabs on another quarterback shows they might not be fully committed to Shedeur Sanders.

“So we really focused, and particularly when Ty went off the board, we really focused on just the infrastructure around it, and we were really pleased with the players that we selected,” Berry said. 

Sanders and Deshaun Watson reportedly split first-team reps during the three-day veteran minicamp before the draft.

The team has yet to commit to either option, even though Sanders closed out the season as the starter and still has three years left on his contract.

Still, the former fifth-round pick should have plenty of opportunities to earn the job. The Browns gave him an improved supporting cast and new offensive-minded head coach, and it's up to him to make the most of the hand he's been given.

That said, this team continues to operate as if their quarterback of the future isn't on the roster yet.