The Cleveland quarterback room could get crowded ahead of the 2026 NFL season, as neither Dillon Gabriel nor Shedeur Sanders has yet proven capable of leading the team over a full campaign, prompting the Browns to explore their options.
Despite flashes of potential, their third and fifth round picks also showed clear weaknesses in their games, although they were dealt a tough hand with a weak offensive line and a poor group of wide receivers to pass to.
And now with the news that the Arizona Cardinals plan to release veteran Kyler Murray next week if no team trades for him, as per Adam Schefter, the door is open for the Browns to explore a high-upside quarterback addition. Here’s why it makes sense.
Murray is a proven playmaker, throwing 121 touchdown passes against 61 interceptions and adding 32 rushing touchdowns in seven seasons, combining arm strength, mobility, and playmaking ability, fitting perfectly with Monken’s dynamic, high-tempo offensive style.
If Murray succeeds, the Browns could gain a top-tier starting QB immediately; if he struggles, Cleveland retains flexibility and cap space, keeping the door open to draft a long-term franchise quarterback in 2027 such as Arch Manning.
The Browns may hesitate to trade draft capital for Murray, but given Schefter’s report, they only have to hang on for seven days to be able to acquire him without sending any picks in the direction Arizona.
On top of this, the Browns would not have to absorb Murray’s existing five-year, $230.5 million contract, allowing negotiation of a fresh deal, giving the team fiscal flexibility as they look to manage the $46m hit from Deshaun Watson’s contract.
And he also fits. Traditionally, Monken excels with QBs who can make plays on the move, escape pressure, and improvise. Watson’s injuries, suspensions, and limited games played leave uncertainty, highlighting why adding Murray could stabilize the position immediately.
That’s how Monken helped Lamar Jackson win his second MVP in their first season together at the Baltimore Ravens, showing his preference for athletic, explosive quarterbacks who can thrive outside structure.
As far as it goes, Murray would represent a relatively low risk option with a lot of upside for the team as they likely prepare to part ways with the underwhelming Watson at the end of the 2026 NFL season.
If he can hit the ground running at Cleveland, if he moves there, then the Browns may have found their starter to lead them in the coming seasons – without having to surrender key picks or big money.
Which MLB team holds Kyler Murray’s rights if he chooses to switch to baseball?
Murray’s MLB rights remain with the Athletics, who drafted him ninth overall in 2018 when they were still in Oakland – although they are now in Sacramento as they prepare to move to Las Vegas.
So any return to professional baseball would require their approval, unless the team trades or releases those rights. However, it’s extremely unlikely Murray will switch to the MLB since he is now, an established NFL quarterback with years of development invested.
That makes a professional baseball comeback highly impractical at this stage. However, history shows dual-sport success is possible, as athletes like Deion Sanders (NFL) and Michael Jordan (NBA) pursued professional careers in baseball, and enjoyed success.
Such examples are exceptionally rare, however, but it does create an interesting situation about the common traits needed to play the most popular American sports, and just how translatable those qualities can be at the professional level.