Cleveland Browns expert Aaron Goldhammer is fuming at the team’s quarterback situation. And he recently held Deshaun Watson accountable for the difficulties in signing Malik Willis.

On Wednesday, Goldhammer broke down how much every quarterback was paid in the QB room and stated that the franchise cannot afford Willis.

“I don’t want Malik Willis. I wish Malik Willis nothing but the best. The Browns can’t afford Malik Willis. What are you gonna do?” he asked. 

Goldhammer made his statements after the Browns emerged as one of the top contenders to bag the free agent. Willis, 27, is older and more seasoned than rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Plus, he has played more games than Waston in recent years. 

However, Watson has another year left on his five-year, $230 million contract with an $80.7 million salary cap. And in 2026, the Browns still owe him $46 million from his contract.

With so little wiggle room financially, the Browns cannot bring in another starter to the roster. 

“Pay Deshaun 40-something million, have Shedeur take up the roster space, and get Malik so you can have a $70 million quarterback room?” Goldhammer argued against signing the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback.

But Looking at His Stats, Malik Willis Is Just Not Worth the Trouble

And even if the Browns manage to rope him in somehow, is it guaranteed that he can play better than the existing names on the call sheet?

Now that Watson has finally recovered from his Achilles injuries, experts are predicting a fight between him and Sanders for the position.

The Browns ended the 2025 season with Sanders as the starting quarterback. He threw seven touchdowns for 1,400 yards and made 10 interceptions.

Willis, on the other hand, has not been intercepted since 2022. But he has not thrown more than six touchdowns in his four-year career. 

A point Goldhammer did not miss.

“Plus, who has a brighter future? Are you sure Malik has a brighter future than Shedeur Sanders?” he questioned. 

Watson, described as a “hit-and-a-miss” by franchise owner Jimmy Haslam, is around for another year. Although his trade backfired massively, he does offer the Browns a chance to rethink who and why they should rope in.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das