The Cleveland Browns came into last season with a crowded quarterback room but not a lot of clarity. Even with four healthy QBs and Deshaun Watson sidelined by injury, the team never truly found its footing under center. Fast forward to this offseason, and the situation feels all too familiar-plenty of bodies, but still no sure thing at the most important position on the field.
Shedeur Sanders finished the year as the starter, and on paper, he’s got the inside track to keep the job heading into next season. But let’s be honest: while Sanders showed flashes, the numbers didn’t exactly scream “franchise quarterback.” And while it’s fair to say not all the struggles were on him, the Browns have to at least explore their options.
One of those options, however, just got a lot more complicated.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers have no plans to move quarterback Mac Jones this offseason. Despite the speculation swirling around Jones’ future, the Niners are reportedly set on keeping him as Brock Purdy’s backup.
That’s a tough blow for Cleveland, because Jones would’ve checked a lot of boxes.
Let’s start with what he did this past season. Thrust into action in Kyle Shanahan’s system, Jones looked revitalized.
He completed nearly 70% of his passes, threw for over 2,100 yards, and posted a 13-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. More importantly, he went 5-3 as a starter-steady, efficient, and capable of running a high-level offense.
For a Browns team that’s been searching for consistency at quarterback for what feels like forever, that kind of production would’ve been a welcome sight.
And then there’s the contract. Jones is still on a rookie deal, making under $5 million in cash for the 2026 season.
That’s a bargain in today’s quarterback market, especially for a player who’s shown he can win games in a playoff-caliber system. Add in his age and upside, and you’re looking at a potential bridge quarterback who might have enough ceiling to be more than just a stopgap.
But the 49ers aren’t budging. Shanahan knows better than most how important it is to have a reliable backup.
Purdy missed time this season, and San Francisco’s Super Bowl window is wide open. They’re not going to jeopardize that by thinning out their quarterback depth.
In hindsight, the writing was already on the wall. San Francisco had been signaling for weeks that Jones wasn’t going anywhere unless someone came in with a deal too good to refuse. And now, it sounds like even that might not be enough.
So where does that leave the Browns?
For now, it’s wait and see. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken will likely have a strong voice in the decision-making process, both in terms of who starts and who the team might pursue. But with Jones off the market, the best short-term option may have already slipped through their fingers.
That could push Cleveland to look toward the 2027 NFL Draft for a more permanent solution. Until then, the Browns are left to sift through what’s available and hope they can find a quarterback who can stabilize the position-at least for now.
Because one thing’s clear: until they get that right, everything else is just window dressing.