Browns potential QB target emerges after Andy Dalton traded to Eagles

The Cleveland Browns , after navigating themselves through the 2026 NFL Free Agency, will now look to continue their successful efforts for the rest of the offseason. General manager Andrew Berry made it explicitly clear that his primary goal in free agency was to address the offensive line prior to the 2026 NFL season by signing multiple interior linemen, including Zion Johnson and Elgton Jenkins. However, there is one position group that remains a major question mark heading into next season, as the organization’s quarterback room did not receive an addition player in the mix.

As of now, the battle for the starting role will come down to veteran Deshaun Watson and 2025 fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders. And with the 2026 NFL Draft lacking depth at the quarterback position, there’s a good chance that the Browns could acquire another player via a trade before training camp. Luckily for Berry and the front office, the recent deal between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Carolina Panthers for Andy Dalton could open the door for Cleveland to pursue Eagles’ backup quarterback, Tanner McKee.

Trade: Panthers are trading veteran QB Andy Dalton to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick, per sources. pic. twitter.

com/8WgURZHSIj — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2026 Why McKee Makes Sense For The Browns McKee, a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has yet to make his mark in the NFL after spending the last three seasons in Philadelphia. The former Stanford quarterback received his first opportunity at the professional level during the 2024 season, appearing in two games. During his limited playing time, McKee excelled, racking up 323 passing yards and four touchdowns while completing 66.