CLEVELAND — The Todd Monken era is officially underway in Cleveland, and the new head coach faces an immediate, franchise-defining decision. While second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders ended the 2025 season as the perceived starter, a bold new proposal from ESPN has thrown the Browns’ offseason plans into chaos. The suggestion? Aggressively sign pending free agent Malik Willis to a shocking $30 million annual contract, effectively burying Sanders on the depth chart.
The $30 Million Gamble
The Browns have been trapped in quarterback purgatory since the Baker Mayfield trade, and the Deshaun Watson contract ($80.7 million cap hit in 2026) remains an albatross. Yet, ESPN’s Ben Solak argues the solution isn’t on the current roster. Solak is pushing for Cleveland to sign Willis, whose contract with the Green Bay Packers expires next month.
“The Browns should aggressively pursue and sign Willis in free agency. Why not?” Solak wrote Tuesday. He suggests a backloaded deal allowing Willis to develop as the starter, citing tools that are “remarkably beyond” those of current Browns signal-callers Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
Willis, 26, has only six career starts but flashed elite upside in 2025 as Jordan Love’s backup. In a Week 17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Willis dazzled with 288 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns, showcasing the dual-threat ability that Monken coveted while coordinating Lamar Jackson’s offense in Baltimore.
Sanders vs. The Monken Fit
If Cleveland pulls the trigger on Willis, it signals a complete lack of faith in Shedeur Sanders. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders went 3-4 in seven starts as a rookie, showing flashes of brilliance but struggling with consistency behind a patchwork offensive line.
The schematic fit with Willis is undeniable. Monken was hired as head coach specifically to revitalize Cleveland’s league-worst offense. His success with mobile quarterbacks makes Willis a natural target. Solak notes that Willis “has a style of play similar to Lamar Jackson,” creating a potential “good marriage” that leaves Sanders—and Gabriel—fighting for scraps.
“I believe [Monken] will give Sanders a shot to prove that he’s the answer. The kid has fire.” — Myles Garrett, Browns Defensive End (via Yardbarker)
What’s Next: Free Agency Frenzy
The legal tampering period opens March 9, and the clock is ticking. General Manager Andrew Berry must decide if he can afford a $30 million quarterback while navigating Watson’s massive cap hit. If the Browns pass on Willis, Sanders gets his “runway” to start. But if Solak’s prediction holds true, Cleveland is about to reset its quarterback room yet again, betting everything on a player with fewer than ten career starts.
