The Cleveland Browns are once again staring down a familiar offseason question: who’s going to be under center in Week 1?
After a 2025 campaign that featured a revolving door at quarterback, the Browns head into 2026 without a clear-cut starter. Dillon Gabriel got a six-game audition last season but struggled mightily, finishing with a 1-5 record. Shedeur Sanders took over down the stretch, showing flashes of potential but ultimately closing out the year with a 3-4 record and a touchdown-to-interception ratio (7 TDs, 10 INTs) that left more questions than answers.
So, what’s next for Cleveland? According to a recent projection, the Browns could be eyeing a trade to bring in some veteran competition - and the name being floated is Mac Jones.
The hypothetical deal? Gabriel and the No. 70 overall pick in April’s draft to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for Jones. It’s the kind of move that would shake up Cleveland’s quarterback room without forcing GM Andrew Berry to dip into his top-tier draft capital.
Here’s why this could make sense.
Jones is coming off a solid bounce-back season with the 49ers. Filling in for an injured Brock Purdy, he started eight games and led San Francisco to a 5-3 record, throwing 13 touchdowns against six interceptions. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient - and more importantly, it showed that the former first-round pick still has starter-level capability in the right environment.
For Cleveland, this isn’t about handing the keys to Jones. It’s about creating a real competition.
Sanders hasn’t been ruled out as the future, but he hasn’t locked it down either. Bringing in a player like Jones - someone with starting experience, playoff exposure, and a solid 2025 campaign under his belt - would raise the floor of the quarterback room and give the Browns a better shot at stability under center.
Of course, there’s a catch. ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported that the 49ers aren’t looking to move Jones this offseason.
That’s a hurdle, no doubt. But in the NFL, plans change quickly - especially when the right offer comes along.
If Cleveland is willing to part with a valuable Day 2 pick and move on from Gabriel, it might be enough to get San Francisco to listen.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about chasing a superstar. It’s about building a functional offense around a quarterback who can keep the team competitive. The Browns have a talented roster, but if they want to take the next step, they need more consistency at the most important position on the field.
Mac Jones might not be a long-term answer, but he could be the right short-term solution to push Sanders, stabilize the offense, and give the Browns a fighting chance in a loaded AFC.