Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that the former Houston Texans quarterback came out of minicamp with a better chance of being the QB1 for Todd Monken. Most of the snaps with the first team went to Watson, a clear indication of the direction the franchise is heading in this new era.

Sanders, for his part, will need to step up his efforts to compete for the spot. Behind him, Dillon Gabriel is still in the mix, along with recently drafted 6th-round pick No. 182 Taylen Green.

Watson as the starter for the Browns

Deshaun Watson’s last start at the Dawg Pound took place on October 20, 2024, against the Cincinnati Bengals, a game that ended abruptly when he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles. Before the injury, he completed 15 of 17 passes for 128 yards, recording a solid 88.2% completion rate but failing to find the end zone.

If Watson is confirmed as the starter, he will be tasked with leading one of the youngest offensive units in the league. Following a 2026 Draft where Cleveland selected eight offensive players—including high-profile rookies like wide receiver Denzel Boston (22) and tackle Spencer Fano (21)—Watson must provide veteran stability for a roster teeming with inexperienced talent.

With young stars like Harold Fannin Jr. and Cedric Tillman taking on larger roles, the pressure will be on Watson to “carry” this revamped group and prove he can still execute at an elite level after his lengthy recovery.

Andrew Berry’s support for Shedeur

Despite the parity that currently exists in the Cleveland Browns’ QB room, Shedeur Sanders will clearly need to further elevate his abilities if he wants to earn the starting job. Andrew Berry hopes that in his second season in the NFL, he can continue learning and refining his game to achieve strong results.

“To take another step and keep growing and learning. I think he’s had a really nice offseason. He did a really nice job at voluntary minicamp,“ the GM said during a conversation with Tony Rizzo.

“I think his improvements in decision making and pocket management by the end of the year and certainly what we’ve seen so far in a very short spring have been positive. And I expect him to have more command of the offense and better ball security and situational awareness as we go into Year 2.”

“You know, I think I’m just running my own race and focused on what I can control, and that’s mastering my reps and doing it a high level,” Gabriel said, via Cleveland.com.

The former Oregon Ducks player had the opportunity to be a starter in a few games, although injuries eventually kept him off the field. “Just learning, you know, a bunch of learning. I think even prior I was able to learn from Joe (Flacco), but even in that towards the end of the season, I think you just have opportunities for growth and learning, kind of take a step back after playing and continue to apply to get better.”

A new era is coming to the Dawg Pound following Kevin Stefanski’s departure. Will the Browns finally be able to enter the ranks of AFC North contenders?

Gabriel wants to reclaim a starting role

Concussions played a major role in Dillon Gabriel’s rookie season going off track. Looking ahead, the left-hander will look to reclaim his place again, as he acknowledges it was far from easy to be forced out of the first team due to those circumstances.

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s ever easy, as a competitor, right? But you just want to keep staying the course, trust in God’s plan and then ultimately you got to run your own race and focus on your goals.”

While he was healthy for his team, Gabriel recorded 937 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. He finished his first campaign in Cleveland with a QBR of 31.4.

Shedeur or Watson as the starter?

Todd Monken faces a franchise-altering decision as he evaluates whether to start the veteran Deshaun Watson or the rising Shedeur Sanders for Week 1. Watson is returning from a grueling recovery process following a re-rupture of his right Achilles, an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2025 campaign and casts doubt on his explosive playmaking ability.

In contrast, Sanders is coming off a productive rookie season where he threw for 1,400 yards and 7 touchdowns in limited action, showing enough poise to earn a Pro Bowl nod. Monken must now decide if Sanders’ high-upside rhythm outweighs the risk of starting a veteran whose physical durability remains the team’s biggest question mark.

Will the Browns go after another QB in the next Draft?

The Cleveland Browns are positioned as major power players in the 2026 NFL Draft with nine total picks, highlighted by two first-round selections at No. 6 and No. 24 overall. While the roster already includes a crowded quarterback room, speculation remains high that Andrew Berry could still target a high-ceiling signal-caller like Ty Simpson if he falls to their second Day 1 pick.

However, many analysts expect the Browns to prioritize elite protection for their current passers, potentially using their top-10 capital on a blue-chip offensive tackle like Spencer Fano or Monroe Freeling to solidify the unit for whoever wins the Week 1 starting job.

• Round 1: Pick 6
• Round 1: Pick 24 (via Jaguars)
• Round 2: Pick 39
• Round 3: Pick 70
• Round 4: Pick 107
• Round 5: Pick 146
• Round 5: Pick 149 (via Bengals)
• Round 6: Pick 206
• Round 7: Pick 248 (via Seahawks)

Speaking to the press, Monken said he is aware of the team’s reputation and knows how to change it. “Winning. It changes everything,” Monken said. “I told the coaches that the other day, right? How does a player stop the narrative? Play well. How do we stop the narrative on offense? Score. How do you stop the narrative of winning? Win. It’s pretty freaking simple.”

Monken is trying to do the impossible with the Browns. No coach since Marty Schottenheimer has ended his Browns tenure with a winning record. And that happened in 1988. It’s been a long time since winning days have been a part of the Browns.

However, it all starts with the QB

Winning in the NFL is very hard. Winning without a franchise quarterback is next to impossible. Shedeur Sanders showed glimpses of talent during his rookie year, but he didn’t show a finished product yet.

As for Deshaun Watson, he was a top five QB in the NFL… back in 2018. The 2020s have not seen a good version of Watson, who has struggled with serious injuries and off-field issues that really hampered what was a very promising career.

The Browns still have a unit to rely on

The Browns might have not many things to brag about on offense, but it does have an elite defensive unit with one of the most unstoppable forces in the NFL, Myles Garrett. With them, the fact is that the offense has to be merely decent-to-good, not even elite.

Tyson Campbell played 12 games for the Browns last season, but then also played five games for the Jaguars. Hence, he knew Jim Schwartz, but now that he is back with the Browns, he’s been impressed by Mike Rutenberg.

“Rudy, off rip, he brings a lot of energy, a lot of passion. And that’s what you want out of a D-coordinator, a guy that brings a lot of energy and passion to the group and all about team camaraderie,” Campbell said to Cleveland.com.

How is the QB battle going?

Sanders is the frontrunner to be quarterback to some reports. However, it’s also been speculated that Deshaun Watson should be the man that earns the starting spot. However, Watson hasn’t played in quite some while due to serious injuries to his knee and Achilles.

Having said that, Shedeur Sanders wasn’t incredible during his rookie year to just grant him the QB1. However, he showed glimpses and the ability to create big plays. Hence, that’s the focus of the team right now. Thankfully, the defense is apparently not an issue.

The Browns defense is the unit the teams rely on

Campbell, Denzel Ward, and Grant Delpit are in charge of the secondary. Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger, and newly-arrived Quincy Williams will take the load in the trenches.

With that, they just need a half-decent offense to win football games. Whether Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders are capable to be the ones to make this unit competent remains to be seen. Still, those are the Browns’ hopes.

As Tom Pelissero reported, KC Concepcion has visited the Browns ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Concepcion continues to be one of the main names in the upcoming class, and one that has had several teams circling around him. Despite the injury concerns around him, the wide receiver out of Texas A&M is seen by many organizations as a suitable weapon for their systems.

The Giants hosted Concepcion in a visit earlier this year. New York showed interest in him despite the fact Concepcion was intervened for an arthroscopic surgery on his knee by Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys’ team doctor.

Browns could use Concepcion as they figure out QB1 battle

Cleveland will be doomed as long as it doesn’t find its starting quarterback for the season—and preferably for the long run. Still, the Browns must stay busy in the meantime, as Todd Monken evaluates who gets the nod under center between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. That decision will likely be made in training camp. Thus, the Browns may already have Concepcion on the roster by then—that is, of course, if they select him in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Whether it’s Sanders or Watson who’s throwing the pigskin at Huntington Bank Field, they could definitely use Concepcion’s athleticism, which led the Aggies with 919 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. Transferring from NC State to Texas A&M and putting up such numbers in his first year in College Station, Concepcion proved he doesn’t need much time to adapt to new environments.

Indeed, the NFL is a different monster, but the outlook is promising for the Browns, who could benefit from a fast-learning, immediate-impact rookie. Plus, as Monken takes over after Kevin Stefanski’s firing, the entire team will be learning a new system, so it’s not like any player is starting off with a head start.

“If we leave this first round…yeah, with If I were to tell you, ‘Hey, Dave, Yeah. You’re the Cleveland Browns. You’re going to leave with Carnell Tate and Kadyn Proctor,’” Carr said on his podcast, Home Grown with David & Derek Carr.

“Would you not sign up for that if you’re a Cleveland Browns fan? Shedeur is excited. Especially. Let’s not forget about Deshaun. Yeah. We got Deshaun’s there, too. Lot of quarterbacks, so we’re good. We got we got enough talent in that room to win football. But I guess what? If we aren’t upright, it don’t matter.”

Protect the quarterback

Securing the No. 6 overall pick provides a prime opportunity to bolster the offensive line and ensure better protection for the quarterback, especially after a season plagued by sacks and pressure. By selecting an elite tackle, the front office can solidify the pocket and provide the necessary security for whoever is under center to operate efficiently.

Two standout collegiate prospects who could be available at that spot are Francis Mauigoa from Miami and Georgia’s Monroe Freeling.

Plenty for Shedeur to improve

Shedeur Sanders had a rollercoaster rookie season with the Cleveland Browns after being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In 8 games (7 starts), he threw for 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with a 56.6% completion rate, adding one rushing score and 169 yards on the ground.

While he flashed potential—highlighted by a 364-yard game against the Titans and a surprising Pro Bowl nod—his development moving forward will depend on improving his decision-making under pressure and reducing his league-high average time-to-throw.

To take the next step in 2026, Shedeur must focus on quicker processing and avoiding unnecessary sacks to become a more consistent and efficient starter in the NFL.

Will Deshaun Watson play in 2026?

Deshaun Watson is expected to play in 2026 as he enters the final year of his guaranteed $230 million contract with the Browns. After missing the entire 2025 season due to a re-ruptured Achilles, Watson is reportedly back in “great shape” and will participate in the team’s offseason program.

Major decisions for the Browns

With Todd Monken at the helm, fans in the Browns’ Dawg Pound are eagerly awaiting the upcoming NFL Draft. Will they follow Derek Carr’s request to avoid selecting a quarterback, or will they instead look to strengthen that position on the roster? Here are the picks they will have at their disposal:

• Round 1 – Pick 6
• Round 1 – Pick 24 (via Jaguars)
• Round 2 – Pick 39
• Round 3 – Pick 70
• Round 4 – Pick 107
• Round 5 – Pick 146
• Round 5 – Pick 149 (via Bengals)
• Round 6 – Pick 206 (via Bears)
• Round 7 – Pick 248 (via Seahawks)

In Pro Football Talk, Haslam said Watson has a “great chance” and a “fresh start” with first-year coach Todd Monken. “Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful,” Haslam said.

“So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now. We talked to him the other day, he said he weighs the least he has in several years. He’s in great shape, he’ll be in Cleveland on April 7 when we start the offseason workout program. Let’s see what Deshaun can do. We’re all excited.”

Sanders and Gabriel are the other in-house options for the Browns right now, although General Manager Andrew Berry suggested that group will grow when he spoke to reporters over the weekend. The direction the Browns take with any outside move will likely determine how strong Watson’s chances are to win the job.

How Watson arrives to the Browns

Haslam’s comments last year came after Watson’s season-ending Achilles tear in October 2024, which marked the second consecutive season in which he suffered a season-ending injury, following shoulder surgery in November 2023.

Watson missed the entire 2025 season after retearing his Achilles and undergoing a second surgery in January 2025. The 30-year-old is now healthy and expected to compete with Sanders and Gabriel for the starting quarterback role, and based on Haslam’s comments, he appears to have an early edge.

Suspensions and injuries have limited Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans, to just 19 games since the Browns traded three first-round picks and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million deal in March 2022.

Since joining Cleveland, his 33.1 Total QBR has ranked last among qualifying passers. The Browns will pay Watson a $46 million salary in 2026, and they recently restructured his contract to reduce what had been an NFL-high $80.7 million cap hit for the upcoming season.

Last year, the Browns utilized a revolving door at quarterback, starting Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. However, Sanders eventually claimed the job and maintained it through the end of the schedule.

The dynamic has shifted this offseason. Todd Monken has replaced Kevin Stefanski as head coach, and while Monken has praised Sanders, he has made it clear that he is open to a direct competition between the young star and Watson.

According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the Browns intend to let Sanders and Watson battle for the QB1 spot. While Dillon Gabriel is technically in the mix, the first two are considered the primary frontrunners.

Is a trade on the horizon?

The Browns currently carry three quarterbacks on the roster. While they could theoretically keep all of them, a trade remains a distinct possibility as the team looks to streamline the depth chart.

Monken recently revealed that he wanted to draft Sanders for the Ravens during his time as their offensive coordinator. Those comments have led many to believe the second-year quarterback is the head coach’s preferred choice for the job.

The real battle may actually be for the backup role. Dillon Gabriel put up solid numbers as a starter in 2025, but a concussion sidelined him, allowing Sanders to seize the opportunity and secure the starting role.

Watson remains the biggest wild card. The veteran has not played a snap since October 20, 2024. While the coaching staff respects his experience, his long period of inactivity raises significant concerns about his ability to lead a modern NFL offense.

The offense requires more weapons

Regardless of who wins the starting job for the 2026 season, the Cleveland offense desperately needs more playmakers. The Browns are reportedly prioritizing the 2026 NFL Draft to address these needs, and they possess the capital to do it.

As of today, the Browns hold two first-round picks (No. 6 and No. 24 overall). With eight additional picks in the later rounds, the front office has the flexibility to either flood the roster with young talent or move up to snag elite prospects.

According to Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network, Deshaun Watson is the favorite to be the Browns QB1 in 2026. New head coach Todd Monken already stated that the Browns have an “open competititon” to be the starter, but now, it’s Watson’s job for the taking according to the reports.

This might leave Shedeur Sanders a bit shocked as, when Monken’s was first announced, everyone thought he was going to appoint Sanders as his QB1 after this interaction.

Watson has the last chance at redemption this year

Watson is returning from a torn Achilles he suffered in 2024, and he is in the final year of the infamous record-setting deal he signed in 2022. The Browns are pretty much forced to have him on the roster, because releasing him would mean a $131 million hit in dead cap money.

While Deshaun Watson’s days as an elite quarterback are behind him, it’s not like Shedeur Sanders has lit the NFL on fire. So, if Watson is somehow able to regain some of the fire he had during his early years, he should be able to beat Sanders and be a starting QB once more.

The Browns have plenty to fix besides QB

While having a top-tier quarterback is always the best way to set a franchise into success, the Browns need much more. First, they need to regain the explosiveness on the ground, and that is by recovering running back Quinshon Judkins, who suffered a leg injury last season.

Then, watching stellar defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz leave the team is not an easy name to replace. However, the defensive talent on the roster might be enough to mask Schwartz’s absence. The fact is that, yes, the Browns need to find their QB1, but other things need to be assessed too if they want to turng things around.

After suffering two torn Achilles injuries, Deshaun Watson returned to the practice field earlier this month, reigniting rumors that the veteran quarterback could reclaim his starting role. However, Cleveland has made it clear that there are no plans to put Watson back under center this season.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed on Tuesday that Watson will not be activated and will miss the rest of the 2025 campaign. As a result, Shedeur Sanders will remain the Browns’ starting quarterback for the final two games of the season.

Shedeur Sanders knows the QB1 job isn’t secured for 2026

The 2025 season has been an unusual one for Cleveland’s quarterback room. The Browns began the year with veteran Joe Flacco, then turned to rookie Dillon Gabriel, and eventually handed the offense to Shedeur Sanders, who is now set to start the final two games.

While Sanders has shown flashes of promise, his rookie season has included the expected ups and downs. Still, the former Colorado Buffaloes standout has displayed poise and competitiveness, giving the Browns reason to believe he could be a legitimate contender for the starting job in 2026.

Speaking with the media, Sanders was asked how much he believes he can improve heading into next season. The rookie quarterback emphasized that his focus remains on finishing the 2025 season strong before shifting his attention to offseason preparation.

“No, I live in the present. I live in the present,” Sanders said on Tuesday. “I’m focused on this week and this game — and nothing’s promised. Nothing’s promised going into next year or anything, so I stay in the moment, stay focused on what I have to do now to even be able to be here next year, you know? I just enjoy life.”

Will Deshaun Watson be the Browns’ QB1 in 2026?

The upcoming offseason could be a defining one for head coach Kevin Stefanski, who is expected to return in 2026. The decision surrounding Cleveland’s starting quarterback may ultimately shape the franchise’s direction moving forward.

According to league rumors, the Browns plan to evaluate Watson, Gabriel, and Sanders closely throughout the offseason before naming a starter. However, Sanders appears to have the momentum, especially if he can close out the 2025 season with strong performances.

Even so, that won’t be the case. According to insider Tom Pelissero on his X account, the head coach reaffirmed his support for Sanders for the remainder of the season. “He has constantly and consistently gotten better,” Stefanski said.

It’s clear that the transition from college football to the NFL is anything but easy, and many players need significant time to adjust to an environment completely different from the one they were used to just months ago.

Sanders, who so far has struggled more than expected on the field, has the support not only of his head coach but also of the entire coaching staff and the rest of the roster. Clearly, the Browns have already made their decision regarding what lies ahead.

Shedeur’s rookie season in Cleveland

Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is concluding his first NFL season with mixed results, accumulating 769 passing yards alongside 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, resulting in a low 20.0 QBR. While the overall numbers reflect a challenging adjustment to the professional level, the commitment from the organization was clear.

Head Coach Kevin Stefanski sent a message to Shedeur following the team’s loss against the Titans, emphasizing the need for greater poise and efficiency moving forward, signaling that the team remains invested in his long-term development despite the rookie struggles.

Cleveland’s final stretch

With their playoff hopes officially dashed, the Cleveland Browns will use their final four games to evaluate the roster and build momentum for next season. The remaining schedule includes a road game against the Bears, two challenging home contests against the Bills and the divisional rival Steelers, and a season-ending road trip against the Bengals. Though out of contention, these matchups offer the team a crucial chance to play spoiler and improve for the future.