Should Browns Use Tanking Strategy for Arch Manning?

Cleveland has options picking at No. 2 and could look at finding their next quarterback in a few weeks at the NFL Draft. However, one NFL executive tells The Athletic the Browns should consider tanking in hopes of landing 2026 prospect Arch Manning this time next year. 

“It’s such a weak quarterback draft and free-agency class at the position,” the executive said. “Is there a temptation to suck for Arch Manning?

"If I’m Cleveland, and I don’t love Shedeur (Sanders) at pick No. 2, I have a two-time Coach of the Year, a GM that got a second contract, so could that regime possibly survive a worst-team-in-the-league season to get Arch Manning next year?” the executive asked. 

The Browns are certainly starved for some excitement at the quarterback position. A miraculous midseason return for Watson likely falls short in fulfilling that need and his number of recent injuries casts significant doubt on his ability to perform in a productive manner at this level. 

But pursuing a tank from the jump really is not an option on this payroll. Cleveland will not get what they bargained for in Watson, but Myles Garrett is set to make the most money of any defensive player in the coming years after his latest contract extension. 

That deal headlines a number of other big cap hits set for the 2025 season. The Browns simply cannot afford to punt on those seasons. Furthermore, a Manning rebuild sounds tantalizing at this juncture, but the landscape may completely change before then and he could decide to stay in Austin. 

Sacrificing a year with this group simply is not the answer. Rather, the Browns should be focused on drafting a talented contributor with the No. 2 pick, regardless of position.