The Cleveland Browns were incredibly active in the quarterback market this offseason, as the team added Kenny Pickett in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, Joe Flacco through free agency, and selected Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the draft.
With Deshaun Watson’s status for the 2025 season in doubt due to surgery on a torn Achilles’ tendon, Cleveland made sure to stock up on quarterbacks this offseason and hold a competition for the starting gig.
Pickett and Flacco are the favorites to win the job due to their experience. However, Gabriel and Sanders also have a ton of potential and could snag the starting role. With Pickett and Flacco set to hit free agency next offseason, one of the two signal-callers have golden opportunities this year to establish themselves as the potential long-term answer.
Though Gabriel or Sanders could prove to be difference-makers, ESPN’s Jordan Reid predicts the Browns will be right back in the quarterback market next offseason and will trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft for Clemson signal-caller Cade Klubnik.
The Browns drafted two quarterbacks last week: Dillon Gabriel in Round 3 and Shedeur Sanders in Round 5. But Cleveland didn’t address the position with any of its four picks in the top 70, and it might take a bigger swing next April.
Klubnik made huge strides in his second season as a starter. His game reminds me a lot of Bo Nix.
Klubnik had a breakout 2024 campaign at Clemson, as he tossed 36 touchdowns to just six interceptions with a 63.4% completion rate and led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff.
The senior quarterback has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback at the next level, as he takes good care of the football, is very accurate, and can use his legs when needed. Klubnik’s 6-foot-2 frame is also a major plus, especially with the tight pockets he will see in the NFL.
If he can take the next step in 2025, Klubnik will be a sure-fire first-round pick next year and has a chance to be the top quarterback in the class. Cleveland has spent decades trying to find their franchise quarterback, and Klubnik could be the guy in 2026.
