Browns reportedly could make this QB decision during 2026 draft amid Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson uncertainty

Whispers about the Cleveland Browns potentially spending overall pick No. 6 or No. 24 of the 2026 NFL Draft on Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson resurfaced after it was learned that Simpson was visiting the Browns on Thursday. 

Previously, Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand made it known that he didn't believe Cleveland was all that serious about drafting Simpson. On Thursday, Grossi went one step further while speaking about the team's quarterback plans. 

Are Browns ready to pass on multiple quarterback prospects? 

According to Grossi, it's unlikely that the Browns will select a quarterback in the first three rounds of this year's draft. 

Some have said that Simpson possesses "questionable first-round talent" at best, but history shows at least one quarterback-needy club will consider grabbing him before pick No. 32 is made. Meanwhile, new Browns offensive coordinator Travis Switzer recently suggested that veteran Deshaun Watson has "got to be part of the equation for when it comes to competing for" the starting quarterback job. That competition is expected to include Shedeur Sanders, and Cleveland also has fellow 2025 rookie Dillon Gabriel on the roster. 

"I don't see it happening at all," Grossi said about the Browns drafting Simpson in the first round and basically anointing him as their future franchise quarterback. 

Why so much Ty Simpson to Browns buzz? 

Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal previously mentioned that recently hired Browns head coach Todd Monken knows Simpson's father. Grossi offered quite a reality check regarding what that particular piece of information may mean as it pertains to the Browns possibly drafting Simpson. 

"There was a lot of love out at the combine for Todd Monken," Grossi added. "But people have to understand that (general manager) Andrew Berry is making the picks. And I don't think he sees quarterback as the main priority as it was a year ago. Not this year."

Grossi's update seems to indicate that either Sanders or Watson will open the 2026 season as Cleveland's QB1. A report from earlier this week hinted that the Browns won't get into a bidding war for a quarterback once the "legal tampering" portion of free agency gets underway at noon ET this coming Monday.