The air in Cleveland feels heavy right now. It isn’t just the lake effect snow or the gloom of another losing season—it’s the realization that the Cleveland Browns are sitting on a powder keg. After a 5-12 finish in 2025, the organization is staring at a crossroads that makes the last two decades look like a warm-up.
Rumors are flying. Honestly, "rumors" might be too soft a word. It's more like a localized weather system of speculation involving the head coach, the highest-paid defensive player in history, and a quarterback situation that remains the biggest albatross in professional sports.
The Kevin Stefanski Trade: Fact or Fiction?
Let’s start with the most jarring news. For the first time, we are hearing legitimate buzz about a Kevin Stefanski trade. Yes, a trade, not just a firing.
It sounds wild. Why would a team trade for a coach who just went 5-12? Well, the logic among league insiders—including reports from Jordan Schultz—is that Stefanski still carries significant weight as a two-time Coach of the Year. Teams look at his success with Joe Flacco in 2023 and think, "He’s not the problem; the roster construction is."
If the Browns decide to move on, they might follow the Sean Payton model. Remember when the Saints snagged a first-rounder from Denver for Payton? That’s the dream. However, let’s be real: Stefanski isn’t Payton. A more realistic return would be a Day 2 pick.
The Browns have already started their "preliminary research" on a coaching change. While some fans want him gone yesterday, Andrew Berry has to decide if he’d rather have a 2026 third-round pick or just the satisfaction of a clean break. If a team like the Falcons or Dolphins comes calling, don't be shocked if a deal happens fast.
Cleveland Browns Trade Rumors and the Myles Garrett Problem
Then there is Myles Garrett. He just broke the NFL single-season sack record with 23. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year favorite. He is also, quite clearly, frustrated.
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Garrett requested a trade last February. He eventually stayed, signing a massive extension, but the "I want to win" vibes haven't exactly aligned with a 5-12 record. Rumors of a blockbuster deal involving the Rams or Raiders have resurfaced.
Wait. Before you buy a "Garrett" jersey in another color, look at the math.
Trading Garrett before June 1, 2026, would trigger a $41 million dead cap hit. That’s basically the salary of a top-tier starting quarterback just to have a guy not play for you.
Could it happen?
- The Rams are desperate for a pass rush and have the picks (including a first-rounder from the Falcons).
- The Raiders need a cornerstone if they finally move on from Maxx Crosby.
- The Browns might decide that two or three first-round picks are worth the short-term cap pain to rebuild a depleted roster.
It’s the "burn it down" option. Honestly, most people in Cleveland would riot, but in a league where draft capital is king, Andrew Berry might be forced to listen.
The Deshaun Watson Contract: The $80 Million Roadblock
You can't talk about Cleveland Browns trade rumors without mentioning the elephant in the room—and that elephant costs $80.7 million. That is Deshaun Watson’s cap hit for 2026.
No one is trading for Deshaun Watson. Period.
The rumors here aren't about "who wants him," but rather "how do the Browns get rid of him?"
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The team has been restructuring this deal annually like a college student deferring loan payments. By converting $44.7 million into a signing bonus last year, they pushed the pain into 2026 and 2027. If they cut him now, the dead cap value is a staggering **$131 million**.
Basically, the Browns are stuck. They are likely to keep him on the roster for 2026 simply because it’s cheaper than cutting him. It's a "wasted roster spot" strategy. The goal is likely a post-June 1 release in 2027, which would finally allow the team to breathe. Until then, Watson is a ghost on the depth chart.
A New Hope: Shedeur Sanders and the 2026 Draft
Surprisingly, the most exciting trade rumors involve the Browns' current assets. Cleveland officially holds the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They also have a second first-round pick from Jacksonville.
This gives Andrew Berry massive leverage.
The buzz around rookie Shedeur Sanders is fascinating. He took over in Week 12 and showed flashes of brilliance (and a lot of interceptions). Does Berry trade up from No. 6 to grab a "blue-chip" QB like Fernando Mendoza? Or does he trade down, stockpile more picks, and commit to Sanders for 2026?
The PFF data is brutal: Cleveland's offensive line was last in pass-blocking, and the receivers were 31st. They might use that Jacksonville pick to trade for a veteran wideout. Rumors have linked the Browns to A.J. Brown if the Eagles decide to move him. Brown would cost at least a 2026 first-rounder, but for a team desperate to give Shedeur Sanders a real weapon, it’s a move that makes sense on paper.
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Roster Churn: Who is Staying?
Cleveland has already started clearing house. They’ve signed several "futures" contracts, including P Nik Constantinou and WR Isaiah Wooden.
Expect more veterans to be on the move. Greg Newsome II was already traded to the Jaguars for Tyson Campbell last year. Joe Flacco was sent to the Bengals (ouch).
The 2026 offseason will likely see the departure of:
- Jack Conklin: His injuries and cap hit make him a prime trade candidate or cut.
- Jerry Jeudy: After a disappointing 2025, the Browns might look to recoup a mid-round pick.
- Wyatt Teller: A fan favorite, but the Browns need to get younger and cheaper on the line.
What Really Happens Next
The "Cleveland Browns trade rumors" you see on social media often ignore the boring stuff: the salary cap. Andrew Berry is a math guy. He won't trade Myles Garrett just for the sake of change. He'll only do it if the haul is so large it offsets the $41 million dead cap headache.
The most likely scenario?
Stefanski gets traded or fired. A new coach (maybe a Matt LaFleur type if Green Bay enters a rebuild?) comes in. The Browns use their two first-round picks on a Left Tackle and a Wide Receiver. They ride with Shedeur Sanders and keep Watson in a darkened room until 2027.
It’s not the "Super Bowl or bust" dream fans were sold in 2022. It’s a slow, painful extraction from a bad contract.
Actionable Insights for Browns Fans:
- Watch the Jacksonville Jaguars' playoff run. Their final standing determines the exact slot of Cleveland’s second first-round pick. A late-round exit for the Jags means a better pick for the Browns (currently projected around No. 24).
- Monitor the Post-June 1 designations. This is the magic date for any Myles Garrett or veteran trades to avoid catastrophic cap hits.
- Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl. With the No. 6 pick, the Browns will be scouting the top QBs heavily, regardless of what they say about Shedeur Sanders.
The 2026 offseason isn't just about adding players. It's about surviving the consequences of the past. Cleveland is playing a long game now, whether they like it or not.