Depends on who you discuss Cleveland Browns football with, next year’s quarterback room is either set or needs another body.
In either case, one QB that has been mentioned as a possibility for the Browns will now likely remain in school for another year. Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss was granted an extra year of eligibility by a state judge on Thursday, and is no longer a 2026 NFL draft prospect, pending an appeal by the NCAA.
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Chambliss has played
five years of college football: four with Ferris State University, a D-2 program, and last year with Ole Miss. Chambliss was identified as a Day 2 draft prospect, but in a weak draft class, his stock could rise. In his lone season with Ole Miss, he showed unique qualities at the D-1 level and threw for 3,937 yards as he tossed 22 touchdowns against only three picks.
If Chambliss were to remain at Ole Miss, it is projected that he would break the bank with NIL money. This means his income in 2026 as a sixth-year senior playing in the SEC would probably exceed his third-round NFL contract. However, the system stated his college football eligibility had run out, and so he must move on.
Except that Chambliss filed a lawsuit instead. He made claims that two of his college years while attending Ferris State should not count because he was a victim of medical illnesses regarding respiratory issues, and should have been granted a medical redshirt for a sixth season.
In the ruling, Judge Robert Whitwell stated that Chambliss clearly met the criteria to receive a medical redshirt and that the NCAA ignored medical evidence when it denied his waiver. The NCAA had denied his request to remain in school another year on January 9, 2026.
While at Ferris State, Chambliss won two National Championships in 2022 and 2024. He was named the “Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year” following the 2024 season. At Ole Miss, he won the Conerly Trophy given out annually to the best college football player in the State of Mississippi and was selected Second Team All-ACC.
Chambliss transferred to Ole Miss from Ferris State in 2025 and was expected to be their backup QB to Austin Simmons. But Simmons injured his right ankle in Week 2 against Kentucky, and in the third game against Arkansas, Chambliss was now the starter. He ended up as one of the SEC’s most dominant players as Ole Miss only lost to Georgia in Week 7 and earned a spot in the football playoffs with an 11-1-0 record.
Currently, the Browns QB room consists of Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. Several mock drafts had Cleveland taking Chambliss in Round 3. Most NFL draft sites had him ranked at #78, which is mid-third round.
It is estimated that Chambliss will receive approximately $5-$8 million in NIL funding. Gabriel, who was taken by the Browns in Round 3 of last year’s NFL draft, signed a four-year deal worth $6.23 million, by comparison.
