A former superstar and Hall of Famer of the Browns believes he fully understands the team’s future plans after trading Myles Garrett.
One of the biggest moves of the offseason was the Cleveland Browns trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. While it was a decision that removed one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers from the roster, it gave Cleveland a haul of draft picks for the future, along with a young pass rusher to take over Garrett’s role.
The plan is centered on the idea of long-term success. So much so that some are already convinced the front office may be wanting to tank for a high-value pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. On Friday, Browns legend Joe Thomas chimed in on the decision to trade the 30-year-old edge rusher and thinks the franchise is at least considering taking a quarterback next offseason.
“I definitely think that they’re considering drafting a quarterback high wherever they are [in the draft] next year,” Thomas said on ‘The Herd’ with fill-in host Jason McIntyre. “They told you about it when they traded away Myles Garrett and added draft picks next year. Because they know [they] could possibly get [a quarterback] this next year.
“It’s very clear right now because [the Browns] had a quarterback competition all training camp that they don’t belive there is one on their roster right now for sure… When you don’t know who your quarterback is that usually means you probably don’t have one,” Thomas continued. “And so, I definitely think they’re setting themselves up, but I don’t think they’re tanking in a sense that they did in 2016 and 2017 when I was there.”
“I definitely think they’re considering draft a QB high next year. They told you about it when they traded away Myles Garrett and added draft picks.”@jasonrmcintyre and @joethomas73 on if the Browns are tanking for a QB in next year’s draft pic.twitter.com/fKhuOF4xYI
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 28, 2026
Joe Thomas did suggest that, although all signs indicate the franchise quarterback is not currently on the roster, the 2026-27 campaign still gives Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders a chance to prove otherwise. Either way, Cleveland is set up nicely for the future.
The Browns acquired Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick that can turn into a first-rounder if the Rams were to trade Myles Garrett to an AFC North rival. Cleveland’s front office now just has to make sure to draft the right players in the coming years.
One of the biggest moves of the offseason was the Cleveland Browns trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. While it was a decision that removed one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers from the roster, it gave Cleveland a haul of draft picks for the future, along with a young pass rusher to take over Garrett’s role.
