Hey Tony: Besides Spencer Fano, which rookie will have the most impact in the 2026 season?
— Chad, Erie, PA
Hey Chad: The easy answer is one of the wide receivers, KC Concepcion or Denzel Boston. My below-radar answer is Parker Brailsford. Why a rookie center? If Brailsford nails down the starting center job, it enables Elgton Jenkins to return to left guard, his best position. Brailsford would solidify the offensive line rebuild and keep the four other starters in their best position.
Hey Tony: For the majority of Deshaun Watson’s tenure with the Browns, he has not looked great, so much so that Haslam called him a “big swing and miss.” So, how did he suddenly go to the presumptive QB1 after having not touched the field for a year?
— AJ, Avon, OH
Hey AJ: Watson’s tenure in Cleveland has been marred by an 11-game league suspension, two shoulder injuries, two Achilles tendon tears, and his mind cluttered by two dozen allegations of misconduct, civil lawsuits, and the pressure of living up to an unprecedented fully-guaranteed contract. OK, it’s been a colossal swing and miss. Now Watson is healthy and freed of the lawsuits. He is said to be in a good mindset. The Browns are paying him $46 million. Why would they not try to salvage whatever they can from him in the last year of his contract? I mean, the alternatives are two second-year QBs who were not exactly world-beaters. Consider Watson a one-year bridge quarterback to 2027. He will not be back after 2026. If Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel wins the QB competition, fine. Maybe one of them is the QB who will take the Browns to the next level. If not, they look toward the 2027 draft and Watson moves on. Playing Watson in 2026 does not mean the Browns are re-upping him in 2027.
Hey Tony: With many experts claiming the Browns as back-to-back draft champions, how soon until we realistically compete for a Super Bowl?
— Andy, Bloomington, IL
Hey Andy: That won’t happen until the undisputed franchise quarterback hopeful is identified and secured. Then add a minimum of two years for development (see Drake Maye).
Hey Tony: Andrew Berry’s career hinges on getting the QB pick right in the ’27 draft. There’s only one way to ensure he’ll have the capital to move to #1: trading for it. Only 1 player will bring that haul — Myles Garrett. Is MG is on this roster in 11 months?
— Ryan, Ashtabula, OH
Hey Ryan: It’s not Berry’s career that hinges on getting the QB pick right in ’27. The Browns’ Super Bowl hopes hinge on it. I am an advocate of trading Garrett to secure the assets to acquire the QB in 2027. Will Berry and Haslam do it? They seem to be more open to it than before.
Hey Tony: Has there been any fire around a Dillon Gabriel to ATL trade so we can not have the added drama?
— Aaron, Toledo, OH
Hey Aaron: A Gabriel-to-Atlanta trade will not happen. The Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to be the starter until Michael Penix returns from a torn left ACL. The Falcons also signed veteran journeyman Trevor Siemian. Even if Siemian doesn’t pan out as QB3, no team trades for a QB3.
Hey Tony: Browns interested in Brandon Sorsby in supplemental draft?
— David, Cleveland, Oh
Hey David: Sorsby (6-3 and 235 pounds) would have been an intriguing prospect had he prospered in the 2026 season after transferring to Texas Tech. The gambling scandal robbed him of that opportunity. The scandal alone does not hurt Sorsby’s NFL prospects as much as the lost season of development at Texas Tech. No, I don’t believe the Browns would be – nor should be – interested in forfeiting a 2027 pick for Sorsby in the supplemental draft.
Hey Tony: Is drafting Johnny Manziel the biggest mistake of the Haslam era considering the long-term ramifications it caused for FO, coaches and player acquisition?
— Cory, Columbus, OH
Hey Cory: No. It’s the Watson trade and gargantuan contract. Not even close.
Hey Tony: With new coach Monken how do you feel he’ll play Shedeur and Watson different from Stefanski? For me, I think all he has to do is open them up to their play style and we will be winning games at least more than last year.
— Le’Quan, East Cleveland, Oh
Hey Le’Quan: I don’t know. Let’s see it unfold.
Hey Tony: Does this Myles Garrett situation make you as nervous as me? First where is he and why isn’t he being a team leader? Second, Berry’s language change. They aren’t shopping him but it sure sounds like they are dropping hints to “make me an offer”
— Mike, North Olmsted, OH
Hey Mike: Nervous? Not at all. I think if a trade of Garrett results in securing the Browns QB of the future, it would be exciting. I agree the Browns are becoming more open to the possibility of a future Garrett trade. My opinion is that Garrett has made it known that he still would favor a trade to a contender. Another factor is that Garrett’s $40 million-a-year contract figure already has become obsolete. Would you want to reinvest another $10 million-a-year+ in a player who 1. Doesn’t want to be here, and 2. Will be 30 in December?