The Cleveland Browns don’t need a splashy skill-position star. They don’t need another headline-grabbing defensive addition. What they need is stability. Cleveland needs the kind that doesn’t show up in highlight reels but determines whether a season collapses or contends.
Heading into 2026, Cleveland’s roster isn’t devoid of talent. Myles Garrett is still terrorizing quarterbacks. The defense remains championship-caliber. The young core offers promise. However, none of that matters if whoever ultimately lines up under center doesn’t survive the first quarter of the season. If the Browns are serious about correcting their most obvious flaw, there is one free agent who makes too much sense to ignore.
Structural cracks
The Browns’ 2025 campaign was a study in frustration, defined by a 5-12 record that ultimately cost head coach Kevin Stefanski his job. With Deshaun Watson sidelined the entire year following a second Achilles surgery, the Browns cycled through quarterbacks before eventually turning to Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. The results were uneven, and the offense struggled to find rhythm or protection.
The lone consistent force was Garrett. He delivered a unanimous Defensive Player of the Year performance by setting a new NFL single-season record with 23.0 sacks. Elsewhere, the rookie class provided optimism. That included breakout linebacker Carson Schwesinger and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Still, optimism doesn’t erase reality. The veteran offensive line faltered, especially at tackle after Dawand Jones suffered a season-ending injury. The Browns just lost control of the trenches.
Broken blindside
Heading into 2026, Cleveland’s most glaring issue is the collapse of the offensive tackle position. The veteran core that anchored the early 2020s has aged out or moved on. Jedrick Wills Jr is set to hit free agency. Jones’ 2025 season was derailed by major knee and hamstring injuries that cast uncertainty over his short-term durability.
That leaves Cleveland with an elite defense paired with an offense protected by what amounted to a revolving door. In a division that features edge rushers like TJ Watt, Trey Hendrickson, and Odafe Oweh, that’s a recipe for disaster.
If Cleveland intends to compete in the AFC North, it cannot rely on patchwork veterans or mid-round developmental prospects at left tackle. Blindside protection isn’t a luxury. It’s infrastructure. Right now, that infrastructure is cracked.
Manageable financial hurdle
Yes, the Browns’ cap sheet remains tight. Watson’s projected $80 million-plus cap hit looms over every roster conversation. That said, Cleveland has shown a willingness and frankly, a necessity to restructure that deal annually.
Another restructure could free $18-$22 million in space. That's enough to enter the bidding war for a premier offensive tackle. Teams like the Patriots and Commanders may also pursue help at the position, meaning Cleveland cannot hesitate.
The fix: Rasheed Walker
Rasheed Walker is exactly the type of player Cleveland must prioritize. At 26 years old, Walker represents the rare “young veteran” who hits the open market at the perfect intersection of production and upside. The 2026 free-agent class is thin at tackle. That only amplifies his value. However, this isn’t a desperation play. Walker has emerged as one of the league’s most reliable pass protectors.
He had a breakout 2024 and an even more polished 2025 in Green Bay. As such, Walker proved he can anchor against elite speed rushers and hold his ground in high-volume passing attacks. His footwork is disciplined, his hands are patient, and his recovery ability minimizes pressure leaks that derail drives. For Cleveland, that matters more than flash.
Walker’s durability is equally important. Availability was Cleveland’s undoing in 2025. Walker has demonstrated the ability to handle a full season workload while continuing to refine his technique. That reliability alone would stabilize an offense desperate for continuity.
Beyond performance, Walker aligns with Cleveland’s timeline. Signing him isn’t a one-year bridge or stopgap. It’s a long-term investment in a 26-year-old protector who can anchor the blindside for the next five seasons. When Garrett, Denzel Ward, and the defensive core are still operating at a high level, the offense should match that consistency.
There’s also a schematic fit. Walker thrived in Green Bay’s zone-blocking scheme. That mirrors much of what Cleveland wants to execute under Todd Monken. His athleticism allows him to reach the second level in the run game while maintaining strong pass sets in play-action concepts. Cleveland doesn’t need to overhaul its playbook to accommodate him. They simply need to sign him.
Big changes
The AFC North is a war of attrition. Games are decided in the fourth quarter when protection either holds or collapses. Cleveland’s 2025 season showed exactly what happens when the latter wins.
Signing Walker doesn’t just upgrade a position. It restores offensive credibility and gives Cleveland the flexibility to evaluate its quarterback future without exposing that player to unnecessary punishment. This will stabilize the run game and re-establish trench identity. Perhaps most importantly, it signals that the Browns understand their window.
Garrett just delivered a historic defensive season. Championship-caliber defenders don’t come around often. Wasting that dominance because of avoidable protection breakdowns would be organizational malpractice.
Rasheed Walker isn’t the loudest name on the market. He won’t dominate national headlines. That said, he addresses Cleveland’s biggest flaw with precision and longevity. For the Browns in 2026, the smartest move keeps the blindside intact and the franchise moving forward.
