Browns Enter Crucial Offseason with Eyes on Shrine Bowl QBs
Another year, another quarterback carousel in Cleveland. The Browns’ 2025 season saw a revolving door under center, and unfortunately, the results were even more underwhelming than the franchise’s already modest expectations. Between veteran Joe Flacco’s four starts and the combined efforts of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, the Browns never found rhythm-or reliability-at the most important position on the field.
Now, with GM Andrew Berry calling this stretch a “critical 120 days,” Cleveland is gearing up for a major offensive overhaul. And yes, that includes quarterback.
Whether through free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft, the Browns are expected to make a serious push to stabilize the position. That puts extra emphasis on scouting events like the East-West Shrine Bowl, where Berry and his staff will be watching closely-even if the game isn’t exactly loaded with top-tier QB talent.
Still, there are intriguing names worth a look. Here’s a breakdown of the signal-callers taking the field in Frisco, Texas, and what they might offer a team like Cleveland searching for answers.
Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech
Vitals: 6'2", 222 lbs
Draft Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
Drones is a dual-threat quarterback with a physical frame and a rugged playing style. His arm talent is raw but intriguing-he posted 1,919 passing yards and 17 touchdowns in 2025, though his 56.5% completion rate and 9 interceptions show there's work to be done.
He’s more of a project than a plug-and-play option, but his 1,847 career rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns speak to his ability to make plays with his legs. For a team willing to invest time in development, Drones brings upside as a developmental QB3 with tools worth refining.
Jalon Daniels, Kansas
Vitals: 6'0", 203 lbs
Draft Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
Daniels has been on the radar for a while, and his 2025 campaign showed why. He threw for 2,531 yards with 22 touchdowns and just 7 picks, while adding another 404 yards and 4 scores on the ground.
He’s a true dual-threat with nearly 10,000 career passing yards and 1,445 rushing yards to his name. Daniels is undersized by NFL standards, but he’s a gamer with a knack for extending plays and finding the end zone.
If he can show consistency and poise during Shrine Bowl week, he could climb into late-round consideration.
Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Vitals: 6'2", 210 lbs
Draft Projection: 5th Round
Klubnik is the most polished passer in this group and the only one currently projected to be drafted. He completed 65.6% of his throws in 2025 for 2,943 yards and 16 touchdowns, with a solid 139 QB rating.
Over his college career, he racked up over 10,000 passing yards and 73 touchdowns. He’s not a dynamic runner-just 878 career rushing yards-but he’s mobile enough to operate outside the pocket.
Klubnik’s experience in a high-profile program like Clemson gives him a leg up in terms of readiness, and he could be a solid Day 3 target for a team looking for a smart, steady backup with long-term potential.
Behren Morton, Texas Tech
Vitals: 6'2", 200 lbs
Draft Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
Morton is a classic air-raid quarterback with a quick release and solid accuracy. His 2025 season included 2,780 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and a 66% completion rate.
He doesn’t bring much as a runner-his rushing stats are actually negative-but he’s efficient in the pocket and shows good decision-making. With nearly 9,000 passing yards and 71 touchdowns over his career, Morton has the experience and production you like to see.
He’ll need to prove he can operate in a pro-style offense, but there’s something to work with here.
Haynes King, Georgia Tech
Vitals: 6'3", 200 lbs
Draft Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
King is one of the more intriguing athletes in this group. He posted nearly 3,000 passing yards in 2025 with a 69.8% completion rate, but what jumps off the page is his rushing: 953 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
That kind of mobility is rare, especially for a guy pushing 6'3". Over his college career, King totaled 9,486 passing yards and 65 touchdowns through the air, plus 34 picks.
The turnover numbers are a concern, but the upside as a dynamic playmaker is real. If he can clean up the decision-making, King could be a sneaky-good late-round pick or priority free agent.
Mark Gronowski, Iowa
Vitals: 6'2", 234 lbs
Draft Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
Gronowski is built like a linebacker and plays with that same level of toughness. He’s a true dual-threat with over 12,000 passing yards and 2,300 rushing yards in his college career.
In 2025, he threw for 1,741 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 545 yards and 16 scores. Yes, 16 rushing touchdowns.
His passing numbers dipped a bit this past season, but his overall production and leadership over 68 career games stand out. He’s the kind of player who could carve out a role as a short-yardage weapon or developmental third-stringer.
Joe Fagnano, Connecticut
Vitals: 6'4", 225 lbs
Draft Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
Fagnano put together one of the most efficient seasons of any quarterback in this group. He completed 69% of his passes for 3,448 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just 1 interception in 2025.
That’s not a typo-one interception all year. His career numbers back it up: 48 touchdowns to just 6 picks.
At 6'4", 225, he has the prototypical frame and a calm pocket presence. He’s not a dynamic runner, but he moves well enough to avoid pressure.
If a team is looking for a high-IQ, low-risk option to develop behind a veteran, Fagnano makes a lot of sense.
Miller Moss, Louisville
Vitals: 6'2", 205 lbs
Draft Projection: Undrafted Free Agent
Moss had a solid 2025 with 2,679 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He’s not flashy, and the rushing numbers are minimal (just -65 yards on the season), but he did manage to punch in 9 rushing scores-mostly in short-yardage situations.
Over 33 career games, he threw for over 6,000 yards and 43 touchdowns. Moss doesn’t have the same athletic ceiling as some of the other QBs in this group, but he’s steady, accurate, and understands how to manage a game.
He’s the kind of player who could stick on a roster as a reliable backup.
What This Means for the Browns
The East-West Shrine Bowl isn't exactly a quarterback goldmine, but that doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant-especially for a team like Cleveland, which is casting a wide net in its search for stability at the position. Whether it’s a late-round pick with developmental upside or a priority free agent to bring into camp, the Browns will be watching closely.
With Berry emphasizing a “heavy investment” in the offense, the quarterback room is clearly under the microscope. And while none of these Shrine Bowl QBs are expected to be immediate starters, finding the right developmental piece could be a key part of the Browns’ long-term rebuild.
The Shrine Bowl kicks off January 27 at 7 p.m. ET from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, and will be televised on NFL Network. For Cleveland, it’s another step in a pivotal offseason-and maybe, just maybe, the first glimpse of a quarterback who can help turn things around.