Browns may have two Shedeur Sanders replacements in mind ahead of combine, free agency

A report from earlier in February suggested that 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders would enter springtime workouts as the penciled-in favorite to emerge as the Cleveland Browns' 2026 Week 1 starting quarterback over veteran Deshaun Watson and a to-be-acquired signal-caller. 

It appears recently hired Browns head coach Todd Monken may already have two different players in mind for the job.

What quarterbacks are reportedly on Browns' radar?

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns have current Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis and Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson on their "radar" heading into the beginning of March. Willis is expected to become the best available player at the position in the free-agency market when the new league year opens on March 11, while Simpson will look to impress would-be buyers leading up to the opening night of the upcoming draft. 

A 2022 third-round draft pick, Willis completed 27-of-32 passes for 409 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions across two late-season appearances with the Packers this past December. He also rushed for 104 yards and two scores over those outings. 

That said, he has made just six career regular-season starts and, thus, is largely still an unproven commodity. Nevertheless, it seems to be a guarantee that at least one club will give him starting-quarterback money for the 2026 campaign. 

As for Simpson, the Browns could draft him with overall selection No. 6 or No. 24 if those running the franchise view the prospect as a long-term answer at quarterback. On Monday night, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. listed Simpson as the 25th-best prospect and the QB2 of his draft class. The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to make Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza the draft's first pick. 

Will Malik Willis pass on Browns?

Cabot noted that Willis is represented by agent David Mulugheta, who also represents Watson and may not want the quarterbacks competing against each other this coming summer. Additionally, logic suggests Willis won't be interested in signing with a team that won't immediately name him its starter. 

By all accounts, Monken seems to want to get better looks at Sanders and Watson this spring. Sanders went 3-4 across seven starts as a rookie and produced lackluster stats over those outings. Watson hasn't played in a meaningful game since he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in October 2024 and then reinjured the Achilles during his recovery.