The Cleveland Browns just traded veteran Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals, though that doesn’t necessarily mean they are finished transacting inside the QB room.
Currently on the active roster are Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and Bailey Zappe. Cleveland elevated Zappe from the practice squad as the team decides this week whether the fourth-year veteran or Sanders, a fifth-round rookie, will serve as Gabriel’s backup.
At the moment, the Browns are still trying to win football games. And as long as that is the case, there is a chance that Zappe could play.
Ian Rapoport reported on October 4 that Cleveland didn’t want to elevate Sanders to the QB2 role in Week 5 despite having demoted Flacco, because the coaching staff didn’t want Sanders to have to step into a game for which the offense was tailored to Gabriel. Instead, the Browns intend to continue developing Sanders and eventually give him a full week of practice as the starter with an offense built for him, then let him hit the ground running.
So, in a scenario where Gabriel gets hurt and Sanders isn’t ready, Zappe could end up the guy. However, there are better options out there than Zappe, and at reasonable prices.
Cleveland stored Zappe on the practice squad since late in the preseason. So if the Browns’ goal really is to win and they want a quality option behind Gabriel who isn’t Sanders, then a player like Russell Wilson of the New York Giants could actually make sense.
Russell Wilson Is Inexpensive Enough for Browns to Seriously Consider a Trade
GettyQuarterback Russell Wilson of the New York Giants.
Cleveland could probably land Wilson for the price of a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick.
Beyond that, despite earning $10.5 million in 2025, Wilson’s base salary is just $2 million. That means even a salary cap-strapped team like the Browns could afford to absorb his deal with relative ease.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report named Wilson as one of the NFL’s top 10 trade candidates heading into Week 6, and also noted Cleveland as one of his top two potential landing spots.
“NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported late last month that Wilson is expected to draw trade interest before the deadline,” Knox wrote on Wednesday, October 8. “The primary reason Wilson might draw interest? He’s cheap. With a base salary of just $2 million, he would be a budget alternative for any team currently getting poor quarterback play or in need of a veteran mentor.”
Russell Wilson Remains Viable NFL Backup QB, Can Offer Browns Better Play, Rookie Guidance Than Bailey Zappe
GettyNew York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson isn’t the future for the Browns, though he could offer Gabriel and Sanders more guidance than Zappe. And Wilson certainly has a higher performance floor and ceiling than Zappe does, despite being 10 years older.
Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns in an overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. And while his play in Weeks 1 and 3 were bad enough for the Giants to replace him with rookie Jaxson Dart, Wilson still makes sense as a backup in the NFL.
Jameis Winston, who is playing on a two-year deal, is currently filling that role in New York. As such, Wilson doesn’t really have a place there. For the low price of $2 million, maybe he could find a temporary home in Cleveland.
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