The Cleveland Browns' hopes of landing a top free agent quarterback appear to be fading. 

Despite making major changes to turn things around in the upcoming season, according to the latest reports, the franchise appears to be far away from getting Malik Willis, one of the top free agent quarterbacks.

The 26-year-old quarterback has previously played for the Titans and is currently the number two quarterback of the Packers.

Even if the Browns want Willis on their roster, Browns insider and writer Zac Jackson claimed that he is already out of their reach. In an episode of The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show, Jackson said other teams are offering a better contract the Browns ever could.

“The thought you would get Malik Willis on a one-year, $12 million deal and give him a shot is long gone,” Jackson said. “The market says he’s getting more money and more years from somebody. I don’t know if the Browns are in that position right now.”

With the Titans, Willis played 11 games and covered 350 yards. He threw no touchdowns but was intercepted thrice. After moving to the Packers in 2024, however, he threw six touchdowns for 972 yards across 11 games in two seasons.

In the 2025 season, he completed 18 passes out of 21 for 288 yards and scored two rushing and one passing touchdown against the Ravens in Week 17. And in the last season, he threw touchdowns for 550 yards and made no interceptions. 

The Browns ended the 2025 season with a 5-12 record and hopped onto three different quarterbacks. Rookie Shedeur Sanders was their third starting quarterback of the season, who took over from Week 14. 

Criticism seems to follow Shedeur Sanders everywhere

For 1,440 yards, Sanders threw seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his rookie year. While some supporters opined that the 23-year-old has been unnecessarily scrutinized and deserves another chance.

But critics claimed that Sanders is not a “franchise guy,” and is responsible for the mistreatment of former head coach Kevin Stefanski and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. 

Although his stats don’t build a strong case, Sanders downplayed rumors of his replacement. In an early January media session, he claimed that his passing rates haven’t gone unnoticed.

“I can’t think about other people’s opinions or how they view me,” he began. “I know the teams we go against definitely respect me and the passing game, for sure. I can’t be accountable for somebody else’s decisions.”

The Browns are also looking for a new head coach to fix their offensive woes. With two important positions left unchecked, the Browns don’t seem to be becoming a winning team anytime soon. What do you think? Tell us below. 

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu