– Coaching front-runners: Grant Udinski (Jaguars OC, 30) and Nate Scheelhaase (Rams pass game, 35) are the two leading candidates. No ties yet to Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, or Deshaun Watson (who’s in the final season of his deal). Watson likely a bridge while Gabriel could be a spring trade target if Kyle Cousins ends up elsewhere with new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski looming in rumors. 🤔
– QB landscape in play: Sanders would likely compete for the starting job in camp, but the Browns will likely add another passer—maybe one or two—to push him. Late first or early second-round targets (Nos. 24 or 39) are in play, with a rookie option on the table. ESPN’s Jordan Reid has Fernando Mendoza as one of the highest-valued QB prospects, and Ty Simpson (Alabama) is another late-1st/early-2nd option worth watching.
– Mac Jones leverage with the 49ers: San Francisco still holds the leverage in any Jones talks. Jones stepped up when Brock Purdy was banged up, delivering:
– 5-3 record as a starter, 69.6% completions
– 2,151 yards, 13 TDs, 6 INTs
– Helped push the Niners into the playoffs and even a Wild Card win over the Eagles
Jones has one year left on an $8.4 million deal, and coach Kyle Shanahan has signaled the Niners aren’t just giving him away. 🏈📊
– A potential swap to watch: A trade scenario floated is Browns swinging a No. 39 pick to San Francisco in exchange for Mac Jones and the 127th pick (Round 4). In this setup, Cleveland would land Jones and a later asset, while San Francisco would pick up the No. 39 slot to target additional pieces. It’s a classic leverage-play move that could reshape Cleveland’s QB room quickly. 🔄
– Draft day angles for Cleveland: If they stay put or move up, Nos. 24 and 39 remain attractive spots to grab a dynamic quarterback or to leverage in a bigger deal. Options like Ty Simpson or Mendoza could emerge as the long-term answer, while a veteran addition (via trade) remains very much in play.
Bottom line: Cleveland is planning a bold QB reset for 2026. It’s a chess match between coaching fits, draft picks, and smart trades, with Mac Jones and a potential rookie in the mix. Stay fired up—the fireworks are just getting started 🏈🔥📊
