ESPN predicts the Cleveland Browns’ Week 1 starting quarterback for 2026, and it’s a total curveball from where things currently stand
ESPN believes the Browns are going to be making a move for a current NFC starting quarterback.
The Cleveland Browns have an offseason ahead that’s quite unpredictable how it’s going to play out. Coming off a 5-12 season, it’s clear where the Browns must improve.
This offseason will be focused on getting the offense right for the Browns. Todd Monken will bring his offensive scheme, but it’s unknown who Cleveland’s quarterback will be next season to start.
ESPN has a wild prediction for the Browns’ Week 1 starting quarterback
We’re looking at Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders as two options currently on the Browns roster to be the starting quarterback. In a recent work out by ESPN, they predicted it would be current Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray who is Cleveland’s Week 1 starter.
“Cleveland’s eternal search for a quarterback could lead it to Murray, especially with the draft lacking top-flight QB prospects beyond Fernando Mendoza,” ESPN’s Seth Walder wrote. “Murray is due $42.5 million in cash, which hovers around fair value for one season, especially since he’d be under contract for non-guaranteed years at similar prices in 2027 and 2028.”
Cleveland is tight on cap space (due in large part to quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract), so I would expect the Cardinals to eat some of Murray’s 2026 money in exchange for a Browns draft pick.”
Murray is coming off a season where he made just five starts and had a 6-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio for the Cardinals in 2025. 2024 was Murray’s last full season and he threw for 3,851 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Murray added 572 rushing yards in 2024 and the dual threat ability is an impressive part of his game.
Monken’s ideal quarterback is mobile and can move. Murray checks those boxes and the belief is that the Cardinals would like to move off of him. As Walder mentioned, it’s a big chunk of cash Murray is due in 2026 over $42 million. If the Cardinals are willing to eat some of the cash, then this deal would become more doable.
Murray has been a player who is averaging 3,998 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 624 rushing yards, and six rushing touchdowns per his 17-game season average. Those numbers are an upgrade from anything the Browns have had over the last couple of years.
Cleveland has free agency and the draft to work through, as well as the trade market to address the quarterback position. If it’s the trade market Cleveland decides to use, watch for Murray to potentially be a name connected to the Browns.
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