Huntley has a recurring connection to Cleveland, spending each of the past two preseasons with the Browns but not making the 53-man roster. He then spent time with Baltimore and, most recently, Miami, where he started five games in 2024, going 2-3 with 829 passing yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
In the previous season with Baltimore, Huntley went 2-0 as a starter, compiling 426 passing yards and two touchdowns while adding 151 rushing yards, showcasing his dual‑threat potential enough to earn continued look-ins as a depth option.
Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker highlighted Huntley as an affordable depth option for Cleveland, noting Watson’s mega-contract complicates the roster math and that Monken may value Sanders, while Huntley could provide a stable, veteran backup in a rebuilding year.
Huntley’s rapport with Sanders runs a notch deeper than most backups, with Sanders crediting Huntley for mentorship and perspective during Huntley’s time with the Browns, a dynamic that could appeal to Monken as he develops the young quarterback trio.
Monken has been clear that Watson, while a potential starter, is not a guarantee to regain peak form; he emphasized development for Sanders and Gabriel and acknowledged Watson’s return from injuries as a factor in how the room is built.
For now, Sanders is expected to be the early favorite to open as QB1 after finishing the season 3-4 in the final seven games, with the Browns weighing veteran options like Huntley to ensure a dependable depth chart behind him. This assessment comes from Heavy Sports, noting the Browns’ ongoing exploration of the quarterback slate.
