Pro Football Rumors
Isaiah McGuire has operated as a key rotational figure along the edge during his time with the Browns. He could be on the list of Cleveland’s trade candidates, however.
Jared Verse – acquired as part of the Myles Garrett blockbuster – will represent Cleveland’s top pass rushing option in 2026 and remain a foundational defender for years to come if he develops as hoped. Alex Wright is still in the fold for the immediate future and beyond, thanks to the $33MM extension he signed in November. McGuire sits third on the depth chart once again entering training camp.
2026 represents the final year of his rookie contract. That leaves McGuire in uncertain territory regarding his future, and The Athletic’s Zac Jackson writes he “could be a trade candidate” depending on how things unfold early in 2026. If Cleveland does not view the former fourth-rounder as a target for a long-term deal, a trade ahead of November’s deadline could be something to watch for. That is of course already the case for the likes of cornerback Denzel Ward and safety Grant Delpit.
McGuire does not have the track record of Ward or Delpit in terms of role and production, but he has been a regular defensive presence across his three Browns seasons. Totaling 11 starts across the past two years, McGuire has posted 4.5 sacks and 19 pressures over that span. He will 25 prior to the start of the coming campaign, one which will be key in terms of production and the resultant interest in a new deal from Cleveland or another team.
The Browns are planning for the future from a roster-building standpoint, so prioritizing late-round draft capital in a midseason McGuire trade would represent a logical move. That would of course be particularly true if no talks on a long-term deal were to take place in this case, or if early efforts to finalize a new contract fell short. The market for McGuire may be limited entering the second half of the season, but he could be among the names to watch if the Browns operate as sellers this fall.
