NFL Trade Rumors: Cleveland Browns strongly linked to $35M Green Bay Packers quarterback

Two rookies [Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel] and one injured veteran [Deshaun Watson]. This may not a suitable quarterback picture for a franchise looking to turn around its 5-12 season. But it’s true. The Cleveland Browns have two inexperienced players paired with a highly volatile player [inconsistent and injury-prone].No wonder analysts are pushing them to sign a new signal caller, someone who fits into the ‘young veteran’ category. Neither a rookie nor a veteran. The Athletic’s Zac Jackson wants the Browns to explore a run at Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis in free agency. However, he seems costly.Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi reports that GM Andrew Berry may explore the QB market, as new head coach Todd Monken has not committed to any of the three current ones on the roster. Given this situation, Monken may value Willis’ mobility [athletic upside], but then the Browns also intend to invest heavily in the offensive line.Cleveland needs to free up a lot of cap space. Between Watson’s $46 million base salary and Willis’ thin resume [shone in Green Bay but struggled with Tennessee], the Browns may lack the appetite for the quarterback’s reported salary demands.According to Spotrac, the 26-year-old signal caller is projected to sign a two-year contract worth $72 million, averaging $35 million per year. Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker reports that Willis is one of the best QBs on the open market. So, he could reportedly command $30 million or more this spring. Wherever he signs, he’s pretty assured he may be QB1. At Green Bay, he was QB2 to Jordan Love. Anyhow, a big contract may keep him through season 2027 too. According to NFL Network’s Jordan Schultz, Willis is in demand, and several teams the insider spoke to at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis believe that he may be getting at least $30 million per year as a foregone conclusion. The Athletic’s Zac Jackson reports that by next week, Cleveland may have over $30 million to $40 million in available cap space. They will be selective and take cheaper risks than make big bids at top-tier players. But they will have some flexibility and end up adding six to eight veterans to one of the NFL’s possible youngest rosters. So, that leaves us with the Packers QB’s chance at the Browns QB room.Steelers Depot’s Matthew Marczi reports that the Green Bay signal caller is projected to be the biggest name on the quarterback market. But would he fit into what Monken wants to achieve with Cleveland? They don’t have Lamar Jackson [Monken’s former player], but Willis is more similar to Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. They are all three dual-threat quarterbacks. And that’s exactly the kind of offense that Cleveland coach Todd Monken excels at. So maybe he fits, maybe he does not. Only time will tell…According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the Green Bay signal caller is projected to sign a two-year contract worth $44 million with $32 million in guaranteed money. Graziano notes that Willis has 'better vibes' around him than Justin Fields did when he signed with the New York Jets last year.Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot reports via X that Cleveland has decided to restructure Watson's contract to lower his $80M cap charge. This move comes just in time to become compliant for the start of the league year. It gives the Browns flexibility to sign free agents. Or, should we say acquire Willis? Remains to be seen...Orange and Brown Talk Podcast host Dan Labbe believes Cleveland must aggressively pursue free agent quarterback Malik Willis. Labbe wants Cleveland to offer a deal to the former Packers backup, forcing him to decline before he signs with another franchise. He warns that Cleveland cannot afford to wait and watch the Miami Dolphins or Arizona Cardinals make the first move.On March 12, Willis signed a three-year, $67.5M contract, including $45M in guaranteed money and a $22.5 signing bonus, with the Miami Dolphins. He will step into the shoes of Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa left for the Atlanta Falcons.