Andrew Berry’s 2025 draft class might’ve bought him some time in Cleveland, but one move still sticks out like a sore thumb - and nearly a year later, it’s hard to ignore.
The Browns came into last year’s draft with five top-100 picks after swinging a Day 1 deal with the Jaguars. That kind of capital can reshape a roster. But with the 94th overall pick, Cleveland used one of those premium selections on Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel - a move that raised eyebrows then and continues to do so now.
At the time, the quarterback room was a patchwork of uncertainty. Deshaun Watson was still recovering from a re-ruptured Achilles.
Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco were the other options, and neither exactly screamed long-term solution. So the Browns gambled on Gabriel - an undersized QB with questions about his arm strength translating to the NFL level.
Then, two rounds later, they doubled down by taking Shedeur Sanders. If the plan was to throw darts and hope one stuck, it hasn’t worked out yet.
Sanders still has a shot to develop, but the overall picture is clear: the Browns entered Week 1 of the 2025 season without a reliable quarterback plan, and they’re still feeling the effects. It’s been a carousel since, and the search for a stabilizing presence under center continues.
Now, there may be a surprising lifeline - one that could help Cleveland move on from the Gabriel misfire and possibly bring in a veteran with starting experience. Enter: Tua Tagovailoa.
Could Miami’s QB Shuffle Be Cleveland’s Opportunity?
On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Dolphins are likely to move on from Tagovailoa this offseason. After being benched late in the year in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers and with a new regime led by head coach Jeff Hafley taking over, Miami is expected to hit reset at quarterback.
Tagovailoa’s 2025 season was rough - 15 interceptions in 14 games, including three against the Browns in Week 7 - but the situation in Miami was far from stable. Despite the struggles, there’s a potential silver lining for a team like Cleveland.
Because of the structure of his contract, Tagovailoa could be released and still collect a large chunk of his guaranteed salary from the Dolphins in 2026. That opens the door for a one-year, low-cost deal elsewhere - and Cleveland could be an ideal landing spot.
According to Pelissero, a trade is technically on the table, but it’s complicated. Miami would need to eat a massive amount of salary - $54 million fully guaranteed - and take on a $45.2 million dead cap hit.
A clean release after June 1 would allow the Dolphins to spread the cap pain over two years, making that the more likely route. A decision is expected before March 13, when another $3 million in future guarantees would kick in.
Why Tua Makes Sense for the Browns (At the Right Price)
Let’s be clear: Tagovailoa wouldn’t be a long-term fix. His concussion history and the regression we saw last season make it tough to justify a big investment or giving up draft capital.
But on a one-year deal near the veteran minimum? That’s a different conversation.
This is less about chasing upside and more about stabilizing the room. With no clear-cut starter heading into free agency, the Browns need someone who can compete, mentor, and - if needed - take the reins for a season. Tagovailoa, at the right price, checks those boxes.
We’ve seen this kind of situation before. Daniel Jones, for example, was released by the Giants during the 2024 season, signed with the Vikings on a minimum deal (while still getting paid by New York), and parlayed that into a new contract with the Colts the following year.
It’s a similar scenario. Tua could view Cleveland as a soft landing spot - a place where he could start, reset his value, and re-enter the market in 2027.
And for the Browns, it’s a low-risk move. If he pans out, great.
If not, they haven’t mortgaged the future or tied up significant cap space. Plus, with the 2027 draft shaping up to be deep at quarterback, a one-year bridge makes a lot of sense.
Still Chasing Stability
The Browns’ quarterback situation has been a revolving door, and the Gabriel pick only added to the chaos. Trading him - possibly to Atlanta, where former head coach Kevin Stefanski now resides - could be a way to clean the slate. Adding a veteran like Tagovailoa would offer some much-needed clarity.
No one’s saying Tua is the answer. But in a market where teams overpay for average quarterback play, the Browns could find value in a former top-five pick who’s still just 28 and hungry for a second chance. If the Dolphins move on, and the price is right, Cleveland could be a smart fit - for both sides.