The Cleveland Browns plan to open the 2026 NFL season with Deshaun Watson under center, a choice that has drawn plenty of second-guessing from fans and analysts alike.
New head coach Todd Monken has not wavered. He has made clear he is sticking with Watson as the starter when the games begin.
Behind Watson sit Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Sanders remains a fan favorite who many expect to see action later in the year. Gabriel has already generated some trade chatter around the league.
The Browns have chosen so far to keep several quarterbacks on the roster rather than settle on one long-term answer. The team still lacks a clear franchise quarterback, which leaves the front office with extra flexibility.
Bleacher Report analyst Alex Ballentine recently listed players the Browns should consider acquiring before the season. One name that stood out was Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Cleveland does not appear to need another quarterback on paper. Still, McCarthy presents an interesting possibility because of his draft pedigree and the flashes he showed last season.
McCarthy, a former first-round pick out of Michigan, appeared in only 10 games a year ago because of injury. He finished 6-4 as a starter.
He threw for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. On the ground he added 181 rushing yards and four scores, showing some dual-threat ability.
Inconsistency and Minnesota’s push to win now cost him. McCarthy lost the starting job this year to Kyler Murray, raising questions about his future with the Vikings.
Reports have circulated that Minnesota could be open to trading McCarthy. That possibility has some observers suggesting the Browns should make a move.
Acquiring McCarthy would give Cleveland another option at the position without a high price tag. The Browns could keep him as a backup or later include him in another deal.
A change of scenery might help the young quarterback. Cleveland’s history with quarterbacks has been uneven, but Monken is an offensive-minded coach who could give McCarthy a fresh start.
The downside looks limited. The Browns still have no settled plan at quarterback, so adding another talented arm would not hurt their flexibility heading into the season.
Whether Cleveland actually pursues McCarthy remains to be seen. For now the organization is focused on Watson while keeping its other young quarterbacks in the mix.
