The Cleveland Browns will explore all their options to improve their quarterback room this offseason, which will likely include Malik Willis.
Willis is expected to be one of the more sought-after quarterbacks on the free-agent market despite limited starting experience. The former Tennessee draft pick has made just six starts over his four-year career, spending the past two seasons as a backup with the Green Bay Packers.
When given opportunities, however, Willis has delivered. He was particularly impressive in his lone start this season, completing 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and accounting for three total touchdowns — two rushing and one passing — in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. Last season, Willis went 2-0 as a spot starter for Green Bay, throwing for 550 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, strengthening his case as a capable and efficient option when called upon.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com believes Willis is on the radar for the Browns and new head coach Todd Monken will do his homework.
“I believe the Browns will do their diligence on Willis, just like they will for any quality veteran quarterback coming available this offseason,” Cabot said. “They have already stated that they’ll scour the market for the best quarterbacks in their bid to field the best one possible in 2026.”
Browns Face Challenge in Signing Malik Willis
A potential wrinkle in the Browns’ pursuit of Willis could come down to representation. Willis is represented by agent David Mulugheta, the same agent who represents Deshaun Watson. With Watson entering what could be a defining season as he tries to revive his career, Mulugheta may be hesitant to steer Willis into a situation where the two quarterbacks would directly compete, according to Cabot.
“He’s also represented by Watson’s agent, David Mulugheta, who might not want to pit them against each other,” Cabot said. “The Dolphins will likely have a strong chance to land him now that former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is Miami’s head coach.”
Watson missed all of last season while recovering from a twice-ruptured Achilles. Before the injury, he went 9-10 as a starter in Cleveland following the blockbuster trade that brought him to the Browns. Watson is heading into the final year of his fully guaranteed $230 million contract. Former fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders is also expected to be firmly in the mix for the starting job this offseason.
Browns Intrigued by Deshaun Watson
Watson will be back at full health and may be considered the most talented quarterback on the roster. He has three Pro Bowl selections on his resume, which is not lost on new head coach Todd Monken.
“You’ve got two young players that still have a long way to go in terms of development, and that’s part of the learning curve in the NFL,” Monken said of Dillon Gabriel and Sanders. “And then you’ve got a player like Deshaun, who’s coming back from injury and at one time was a Pro Bowl player, and an elite player in this league, that we would love to tap back into that, let alone with Dillon and Shedeur.”
The problem is that Watson has shown very little of that Pro Bowl potential since landing in Cleveland. Additionally, he hasn’t played a full season since 2020.
