With Myles Garrett traded away, 10 options for the new “Face of the Browns”

Anytime you see a network plug an upcoming NFL game, they always display a featured player as part of the enticement to get viewers. Usually, it is the quarterback since that is normally the most recognized face on their team. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are an easy sale with the photos of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, respectively.

RELATED: BROWNS QB BATTLE UPDATE

Sometimes, the networks will show a trio of guys so that they can feature other players who usually are the ones who score points. But for an upcoming Cleveland Browns telecast, that was always All-World EDGE rusher Myles Garrett, a defensive athlete.

Yes, defenders have been featured before, but for any Browns enticement, it has been Garrett since he came into the league in 2017 as the first overall selection in the NFL Draft. And as Browns fans, we all know he was involved in a trade to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason.

Which means the “Face of the Browns” is empty. Who should replace him? Let’s examine some candidates.

QB Deshaun Watson

Well, certainly the quarterback for the franchise should be considered. However, Watson hasn’t been named the starting quarterback for the 2026 season. Yet. Or at all.

But if he does win the starting QB position, which is currently expected, he will need to find that former self when he was an absolute stud while at Clemson and in his first four seasons in the NFL with the Houston Texans. He earned three consecutive Pro Bowls and threw for 4,823 yards with 33 touchdowns to just 7 interceptions in 2020 on a team that only won four games.

Since coming to Cleveland, Watson has only played in 19 games and has missed 33 due to suspensions and various injuries. His play has been below average and has yet to show the talent he displayed with the Texans when he was a Top-5 signal-caller in this league.

In order to become “The Face” of the Browns, he will need to ball out and play at a Pro Bowl level all season. Then again, the franchise just might decide that his reputation off the field would be just too much for their fanbase. Browns’ fans either like Deshaun or despise him. None of them love him. And never will, even if he took Cleveland to the promised land.

QB Shedeur Sanders

Another quarterback whose fanbase either absolutely loves him, is frustrated by him, or is a hater. He too is in the running for the starting job this year.

His naysayers state he needs more development and only started in college because his dad was the head coach. His teams never won a conference title and only played in one bowl game, in which they were blown out.

Sanders’ followers adore him and believe he is the next superstar QB in the league, a cross between Michael Vick, Tom Brady, and Johnny Unitas all rolled into one player. He will need a great showing in the final two preseason games while being inserted into Cleveland’s first-team offense against the opponent’s first-team defense.

If he is indeed this superstar in waiting, perhaps becoming “The Face” of the franchise is feasible. But for now, he has to win the starting job, then play at an elite level.

WR Jerry Jeudy

Everyone loves the guys who catch passes and score touchdowns. These players can perform electric plays and, of course, advance the scoreboard.

In college, Jeudy was all of this: National Champion, All-American, two-time First Team All-SEC, and won the Biletnikoff Award. His professional career has been a roller coaster.

He came to the Browns in a trade and then proceeded to gain 1,229 yards on 90 receptions with a staggering 145 targets, plus earned a Pro Bowl nod. But then last year, his production was cut in half; he scored only a pair of TDs, his average receiving yards per game dipped to 36.8 yards, plus he tied for the league lead in dropped passes with 10. He had 13 drops the year before and 41 for his career.

If Jeudy had had a great season last year in consecutive seasons, he just might have become the default new face of the Browns. As it is now, he is playing in his contract year and will need to have an excellent year in order to be considered for a new deal.

RB Quinshon Judkins

Now, we’re talking. The new Browns head coach called Judkins a bull, and he definitely runs like one. The issue with Judkins is that he is only in his second season with Cleveland and missed games last year due to a holdout and injuries.

If Q were to bust out to say, 1,400 yards rushing, with numerous goal-line touchdowns, then he would certainly be in the running. And in Monken’s new offense, it does feature the run. But all of that needs to happen first.

TE Harold Fannin, Jr.

It is conceivable for a tight end to gather the limelight. Look at Travis Kelce with the Chiefs, Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals, and George Kittle with the San Francisco 49ers. They show their tight ends frequently as featured players.

And Fannin is more of a large receiver than a traditional tight end. He has the background to become a league leader, as he led the nation in receiving yards (1,555) and receptions (117) in his senior year of college. His numbers were decent as a rookie, with 107 targets, 72 receptions for 731 yards, 32 first-down conversions, and six touchdowns.

But Kelce has had six seasons where he gained over 1,000-yards. He owns 11 Pro Bowls. Like Judkins, Fannin has only been in the league one year and will need to get a ton of production as a sophomore, and then let’s talk.

The WR Twins

If rookie receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston bust out and dominate games, we can see, at some point in their rookie year, the franchise as well as the TV networks featuring them. However, this isn’t college. NFL cornerbacks are great on every team the Browns will face. In an 11-game college schedule, both of these rookies may have faced four cornerbacks who were exceptional. That left a lot of contests for stat padding. Put a pin in it and let’s discuss this before next season.

LG Zion Johnson

If Joe Thomas can be “The Face,” then another offensive lineman can become the icon as well, right? But why Johnson? He is replacing LG Joel Bitonio. His mission this year is to not have to be compared repeatedly to one of the greatest Browns’ linemen in franchise history. Plus, with the five new offensive linemen, he is the only one who hasn’t been injured and missed any practice or playing time. Doesn’t durability get any votes?

LB Carson Schwesinger

The rookie linebacker certainly has plenty of cred going into his second season. Being named to the “NFL All-Rookie Team” and winning a league award such as the “NFL Defensive Player of the Year” is a terrific beginning to his career.

This just might be our man. “The Face” has been a defender for quite some time, and perhaps Schwesinger can just slide into the position.

Then again, perhaps a wait-and-see agenda needs to come first. There have been a lot of really great rookie campaigns followed by mediocre play in NFL history.

In 1981, the New Orleans Saints selected RB George Rogers of South Carolina with the first overall draft pick. He ran for 1,674 yards, averaged 104.6 yards per game, was named “NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year,” voted First Team All-Pro, and earned a Pro Bowl. Four years later, he was traded for a fifth, seventh, and 11th-round draft picks and played just three more seasons.  

Before we christen this lad as “The Face” of the franchise, let’s give it one more year and see if he can duplicate his success. Or get him in for a photo shoot.

DE Jared Verse

It might seem unfair to consider a guy like Verse, in that he hasn’t played a single down for the Browns. But let’s go a bit deeper.

Verse has played only two seasons and has been voted to the Pro Bowls both years. Only Watson on this list has more Pro Bowls, but he has been in the league since 2017. Very few NFL players can say that they have gotten a Pro Bowl invite in every season they have played. Verse was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and voted “NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.”

Verse is taking over Garrett’s spot on defense. He is expected to provide an exceptional pass rush and, in the past, has been productive against the run. He won’t mirror Garrett, but he will certainly bring his own brand of heat to ruin an offensive backfield.

And he’s young. Television networks love a guy who can ball out minute one and keep the consistency going.

All of this talent didn’t just show up in his rookie training camp. While playing for Albany and Florida State, he was a two-time First Team All-American, the CAA “Defensive Rookie of the Year,” two-time First Team All-ACC, First Team All-CAA, and Second Team All-CAA.

There have been instances where “The Face” was an offensive guy like Bernie Kosar, Josh Gordon, Nick Chubb, Earnest Byner, or Brian Sipe. But predominantly, Browns fans want to feature a defensive demon, whether that is Clay Matthews, Michael Dean Perry, Hanford Dixon, or Garrett.

Perhaps, for this upcoming season, Verse should become “The Face of the Browns.” Right now, Verse signifies changes in the coaching staff and roster. He represents hope.   

Who do you believe is the “Face of the Browns” for the 2026 season? Is it one of the above players or someone not listed?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below