The quarterback landscape around the NFL can change very quickly, primarily because of injuries. The Cleveland Browns lived through that for the past four seasons with the ever-changing status of Deshaun Watson, among others.
Now, the Browns may be able to take advantage of the misfortune of others. The Philadelphia Eagles are dealing with the devastating news that they have lost Jalen Hurts for the season because of blood clots in his lungs.
It could lead to trade talks between Browns general manager Andrew Berry and Eagles GM Howie Roseman. The two worked together in Philadelphia during the 2019 season.
With that in mind, insider Tony Grossi said he believes the Eagles might call the Browns looking for a quarterback, with Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders each a possibility.
“I think [the Eagles are] in the market for a quarterback right now, somebody to get them through the year. I would have to think that Howie will have a conversation with Andrew. Whether they make a deal is up to Andrew, but I think Howie is looking for a quarterback, and everyone knows it,” Grossi said.
"Whether they make a deal is up to Andrew, but I think Howie is looking for a QB," – @TonyGrossi thinks the Eagles might call the Browns about a QB trade 😯 pic.twitter.com/7O33mzQeKq
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 19, 2026
Berry and Roseman made a QB trade during the 2025 offseason, when Cleveland acquired Kenny Pickett in exchange for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round draft pick. Neither is with those teams just one season later, with Pickett a member of the Carolina Panthers and Thompson-Robinson in the UFL.
The Hurts situation is troubling, as he may have played in a game with the dangerous condition in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. He sat out this week, and he was ruled out for the foreseeable future on Monday.
This could be perfect timing for the Browns, who have a critical decision coming up regarding Gabriel. After being activated from injured reserve this month, his 21-day practice window is going to close, at which point the Browns either have to add him to the 53-man roster or deem him out for the year.
So, they could try to find out if the Eagles are interested in him or in Sanders, whose potential departure would clear the necessary roster room. Philadelphia used Tanner McKee as their starting QB, with Cole Payton as the backup, in a Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
The Eagles could also decide that this is a lost season for them, and they could then wind up as a surprise contender for a QB prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft, which was a role the Browns were expected to hold instead.
NEXT: Rumored Browns QB Prospect Is In Danger Of Being Benched
