Where each browns quarterback would fit best if traded

Joe Flacco – The Steady Veteran Presence

Flacco isn’t winning any long-term job battles, but he’s still got real value. Back in 2023, he gave the Browns a late-season spark, averaged over 300 yards per game, and helped push them into the playoffs. He spent 2024 with the Colts, where he made five starts and threw 12 touchdowns to just seven picks, proving he can still deliver competent, aggressive quarterback play in a pinch. Now back in Cleveland, he’s a known quantity in Kevin Stefanski’s system.

If you need a grown-up in the room who can step in and keep things afloat, Flacco fits the bill.

Best Trade Fits:

1. Las Vegas Raiders
Geno Smith is the starter for now, but the depth behind him is thin. Aidan O’Connell flashed some arm, but his play was inconsistent, and the offense sputtered when he was under center. Flacco would give the Raiders a more stable veteran backup as they shift toward a ground-heavy identity under Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll. With prized rookie Ashton Jeanty expected to be the centerpiece, Flacco could step in and manage the offense without getting in the way of the run game.

2. New England Patriots
The Patriots showed interest in Flacco earlier this offseason before he re-signed with Cleveland. Drake Maye has the keys now, but the depth behind him is shaky with Joshua Dobbs and Ben Wooldridge. Flacco would give New England a no-nonsense veteran who can manage the quarterback room, help prep Maye for gameday, and step in if needed without derailing the offense.

With a backfield featuring Rhamondre Stevenson, rookie TreVeyon Henderson, and Antonio Gibson, this team should be leaning on the run game. Flacco's experience in play-action and run-balanced systems would fit what New England wants to be.

Kenny Pickett – The Bridge with Upside

It didn’t work out in Pittsburgh, but Pickett’s story isn’t done yet. He spent last season backing up Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, where he earned a ring as part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning squad. Now 27, he’s got 25 career starts under his belt, plus the added perspective of being in a winning locker room.

Pickett went 14-10 as a starter with the Steelers, throwing for over 4,400 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for another five. The passing numbers never popped, but he protected the football (13 career interceptions), showed some clutch traits early on, and brings more mobility than people give him credit for. He’s not a franchise savior, but he’s a capable bridge who can keep an offense steady and handle himself in tough environments.

Best Trade Fits:

1. Denver Broncos
Bo Nix is the long-term plan, but the backup situation is flimsy. Jarrett Stidham has been serviceable, but Pickett would be a clear upgrade as a more experienced and stable second option. Sean Payton values quarterbacks who protect the football and execute the system, and Pickett fits that mold. If Nix misses time, Pickett gives Denver a better shot at staying competitive without throwing away the season.

2. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have two developmental quarterbacks in Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler, but neither brings much experience. Pickett would walk in as the most seasoned quarterback on the roster, and he wouldn't threaten their long-term plans. He could help guide the offense, take some hits during a rebuild, and still leave the door open for a full youth movement in 2026.

Shedeur Sanders – The Developmental Wild Card

Shedeur Sanders wasn’t a high pick, falling to the fifth round in April after a pre-draft process that rubbed a lot of teams the wrong way. Reports surfaced that he wasn’t as prepared as other quarterbacks during interviews and came off as smug or overly confident. Whether that was perception or reality, it clearly hurt his stock.

Still, Sanders has traits worth betting on. He threw for over 6,800 yards and 56 touchdowns in two years at Colorado, showing off clean mechanics, sharp accuracy, and real toughness behind a porous offensive line. The arm strength is good enough, and he plays with poise and rhythm. He just needs time, structure, and the right setting.

Sanders isn’t someone you trade for to play right away. He’s a long-term project with upside, and his development will depend heavily on situation and coaching.

Best Trade Fits:

1. Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is still capable, but the Rams don’t have a clear succession plan. Sanders could sit behind him, learn the nuances of Sean McVay’s system, and grow into a potential starter down the line. His timing-based game and quick release would fit the scheme, and there’d be no pressure to play early.

2. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen is locked in as the starter, and Mitchell Trubisky is back as the veteran backup. But behind them, there’s room for a developmental quarterback. Sanders would be a low-risk, high-upside addition who could sit behind Allen, learn in a structured offense, and grow without pressure. Buffalo’s staff could work on refining his timing and decision-making while giving him a stable environment to develop in the background.

Dillon Gabriel – The Dual-Threat Backup

Gabriel wasn’t viewed as a top-tier quarterback prospect, but his college résumé is hard to ignore. He threw for over 14,000 yards, ran for more than 1,000, and accounted for 125 total touchdowns across stops at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon. He’s undersized and still raw in some areas, but he’s accurate, athletic, and plays with real confidence. For a team looking to develop a long-term backup and spot starter, Gabriel makes a lot of sense.

He’s not ready to run an NFL offense today, but there’s a path for him to grow in the right environment. His mobility, clean mechanics, and deep-ball touch give him a solid foundation to build on if a coaching staff is patient.

Best Trade Fits:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield has the starting job locked down, but Kyle Trask has yet to prove himself as a viable NFL backup. Gabriel brings a similar style of play as Mayfield, with better mobility and more college production. He would be an upgrade as a developmental option who could grow into a long-term backup or more with the right coaching.

2. Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. is clearly the future, but the Kirk Cousins situation looms. If Atlanta finds a trade partner for Cousins’ contract, Gabriel would be a logical fit as a mobile backup behind Penix. Under Zac Robinson last season, the Falcons led the NFL in 11 personnel usage, and Gabriel’s skill set aligns with that structure. He’s comfortable operating from spread looks, can move the pocket, and would be a low-cost developmental option to grow behind the scenes.

Conclusion – The Browns Have Leverage

Cleveland’s quarterback room isn’t elite, but it’s surprisingly marketable. Joe Flacco brings experience and leadership. Kenny Pickett has starting reps and is still just 27. Shedeur Sanders is a long-term project with real arm talent. Dillon Gabriel is a proven college producer with mobility and upside. None of them are needle-movers on their own, but together, they offer flexibility.

The Browns don’t need to rush a trade. They can wait for camp injuries, preseason panic, or quarterback battles that fall apart. When that happens, and it always does, teams will come calling. Each of these quarterbacks fits a different need around the league, and Cleveland can afford to play it slow.

It may not be the best quarterback room in the league, but it might be the most tradable.