The general manager of the Cleveland Browns calls Jalen Milroe before the two-time NFL MVP

It was a cold, crisp evening in Cleveland when the decision was made. The Cleveland Browns were facing a crossroads in their franchise’s history. Their general manager, Andrew Berry, had been working tirelessly through the off-season to figure out how to take the Browns from perennial underdogs to perennial contenders. They had some young talent, a solid defense, but the one thing that had held them back year after year was the most vital position on the field: quarterback.

Baker Mayfield’s tenure had ended with more questions than answers. Deshaun Watson’s acquisition, for all the hope it carried, was in a state of uncertainty. The Browns’ faithful were tired of waiting. They wanted results, and they wanted them now. And to Berry’s mind, there was one man who could bring immediate change to the franchise—someone who, by the looks of it, had everything to be a transcendent force in the NFL.

Jalen Milroe.

Berry had been closely watching Milroe’s development over the past few seasons at Alabama. The young quarterback’s raw ability—his rocket arm, his athleticism, his leadership—had stood out even in a room filled with college football’s elite. Despite the powerhouse quarterbacks that had come before him, Milroe’s potential was undeniable. His time in Alabama had made him one of the most intriguing prospects in college football, and with the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, the window to secure him was closing fast.

Yet, even as the Browns prepared for the draft, there was something Berry knew he had to do first. As much as Milroe had the potential to transform their future, the Browns could not ignore the two-time NFL MVP they already had their eye on: Patrick Mahomes.

The situation was delicate, however. Mahomes was entrenched in Kansas City, a dynasty already built around his brilliance. He was untouchable, wasn’t he? The idea of trading for him was a pipe dream, but in the NFL, anything was possible if the right trade offer came along. Berry had long admired Mahomes, his ability to make the impossible look effortless. He was the player every team wanted—a transcendent quarterback who could elevate an entire roster.

But here was the dilemma: the Browns were a team on the brink of something extraordinary, and they needed to make a decision quickly. Should they go all-in on a generational talent in Mahomes, a quarterback who had already proven himself on the grandest stage? Or should they bet on the future and take a chance on a raw but highly promising Milroe, knowing that if they hit on him, they could be looking at a long-term contender?

The pressure was mounting. Andrew Berry’s phone vibrated on the desk, the tension in the room palpable. He glanced at the screen. It was his assistant, Adam.

“Boss, you’ve got to call Milroe’s agent,” Adam said urgently over the speaker. “You need to do it now.”

“Hold on,” Berry responded, leaning back in his chair. His mind was racing. This was it—the moment of truth. After weeks of scouting, analyzing, and deliberating, it had come down to this call. The call to Milroe’s agent would be the first domino to fall. If Milroe was on board with the Browns, they’d have their quarterback of the future. If not, they’d have to pivot.

But as Berry began to reach for his phone, his mind flashed back to the other call—the one he hadn’t made yet. The one to Patrick Mahomes. He had spent countless hours crafting the perfect offer, figuring out what the Chiefs would bite on, balancing draft picks, players, and potential future assets. And still, there was no guarantee Mahomes would even entertain a trade.

Berry had already spoken to Watson’s camp, and while Watson was a great player, he didn’t have the same ceiling as Mahomes. He knew this—everyone knew this—but sometimes fate threw a curveball, and in this case, the fate of the Browns’ future was lying in his hands.

“Adam, hold off for a second,” Berry said, his fingers hovering above the phone. “I need to make one more call before we make Milroe an offer.”

The assistant paused, his voice tinged with disbelief. “The Mahomes call?”

“Yeah.”

It was a long shot, of course, but Berry had never been one to shy away from the impossible. Patrick Mahomes wasn’t just a star—he was a once-in-a-generation player. A quarterback who could transform any team with a single throw. And the Browns weren’t just any team. This was a franchise desperate to find success after decades of turmoil. He knew that Mahomes could give them what they needed, but he also knew that it wasn’t going to be easy.

With a deep breath, Berry tapped the number into his phone. The phone rang once. Twice. Then, on the third ring, the call was answered.

“Andrew Berry,” a voice said on the other end.

“Coach Reid,” Berry greeted, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of anticipation. “I’m calling to discuss Patrick Mahomes.”

There was a long pause before the Chiefs’ head coach responded, his tone serious. “I figured this was coming. I’ve been hearing some rumors about your interest, Andrew. But let’s get one thing straight. Patrick Mahomes is not just another player. He’s the cornerstone of our franchise. And you know as well as I do, it’s going to take something monumental to pry him from Kansas City.”

Berry took a deep breath. “I’m aware of that, Coach. But I’m prepared to make an offer that I believe could be worth considering.”

A few more seconds of silence, then Coach Reid’s voice softened. “I’ll listen. But don’t get your hopes up. Patrick’s loyalty to this city runs deep, and we’re not looking to let him go.”

It was clear that Mahomes wasn’t going to be easy to acquire. Berry’s heart sank slightly, but he wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

“I understand,” Berry replied, his voice measured. “But before we talk about offers, I want to bring up another prospect. A player who might interest you as much as it interests us.”

Reid’s tone became more curious. “Go on.”

“Jalen Milroe,” Berry said, his words deliberate. “A quarterback out of Alabama. The kid’s got it all—speed, arm strength, leadership. He’s raw, but the potential is off the charts.”

For a moment, there was no response. Then, Reid spoke again, his voice more guarded now. “Are you seriously suggesting I consider a trade for Milroe over Mahomes?”

“No,” Berry said quickly. “But it’s a long-term play. If we miss on Mahomes, we need to know if you’d be open to a conversation down the road. You’re building a dynasty with Patrick. But Milroe could be the future. I just wanted to plant that seed in your mind.”

There was a long, thoughtful pause before Reid finally spoke. “Alright, Andrew. You’ve got my attention. But don’t expect me to make this easy for you.”

Berry let out a silent sigh of relief. It was a start, and that was all he needed. He had a glimmer of hope that the impossible might just become possible. But the real challenge was yet to come.

Berry ended the call, his mind now fully on the task at hand. He picked up his phone again, dialing Milroe’s agent. The future of the Browns—and perhaps the future of the NFL—was in motion, and it all began with that call.

The rest of the story would continue to explore the dynamics of Berry’s decision, how Milroe navigated the pressures of becoming the face of the Browns, and whether the trade for Mahomes would ever come to fruition. Would Milroe’s raw talent evolve into something the NFL had never seen before? Would the Browns’ gamble pay off in ways they couldn’t yet imagine? Only time would tell.

But one thing was for certain: the Cleveland Browns were no longer sitting on the sidelines waiting for the next great thing to come to them. They were going out and making their own history.