The decision ends weeks of speculation surrounding the Browns’ quarterback depth chart, particularly after Sanders appeared to outperform Watson during the preseason.

Despite the controversy surrounding the competition, Watson ultimately retained the starting job. Sanders will begin the season as the backup, while Green has earned a spot on the roster as the team’s third quarterback with Gabriel injured.

Did the Browns cut Dillon Gabriel?

No. The Browns are not cutting Dillon Gabriel, according to a report from Jeremy Fowler. He delivered an impressive performance against the New England Patriots in the preseason finale, helping eliminate speculation that Cleveland could move on from him before the roster deadline.

That was particularly important because there had been questions about whether the Browns would keep three or four quarterbacks. Instead, Cleveland decided to retain Gabriel and avoid losing a young quarterback who showed enough potential during the preseason. His performance against New England appears to have closed the door on the possibility of a trade or release.

Who will be the Browns’ starting quarterback?

Deshaun Watson will be the Browns’ starting quarterback to begin the 2026 season. Monken ultimately chose the veteran over Shedeur Sanders. Watson’s experience and familiarity with the offense were important factors in the decision.

However, the decision does not necessarily mean Watson has complete control of the position for the entire season. The Browns have two difficult road games to begin the campaign, and a slow start could quickly put pressure on the veteran quarterback.

Who will be the Browns’ backup quarterback?

Shedeur Sanders will enter the season as the Browns’ No. 2 quarterback. That makes him one of the most intriguing backup QBs in the NFL. Sanders will be one play away from taking over an offense that generated significant attention during the offseason because of the competition between him and Watson.

His preseason performances created a strong argument for him to receive the starting job, but Monken ultimately decided that Sanders still needed more development before taking over the offense. For now, however, Sanders remains in an excellent position if anything changes with Watson.

Browns QB depth chart for 2026 season

The current Browns’ depth chart therefore appears straightforward: Deshaun Watson as QB1, Shedeur Sanders as QB2 and Taylen Green as QB3. But that order could change when Gabriel comes back from IR, which would leave Green’s future uncertain.

Watson’s performance will ultimately determine how much pressure develops behind him, while Sanders will have an opportunity to continue developing while waiting for his chance. For the Browns, the quarterback controversy may finally be over for now.

But with four quarterbacks capable of generating headlines, Cleveland’s QB situation will remain one of the most closely watched topics of the 2026 NFL season.

The coach revealed that Gabriel will start against the New England Patriots: “I’m excited for Dillon and seeing Taylen. We went through the first couple of games, the way we went about it, Taylen did a great job over the course of time with limited reps and going against the Bills, really executing our offense at a high level. So, I’m excited to get him out there and see him play.”

It’s time for the former Oregon Ducks quarterback to prove that his left arm is up to the task. While his chances of taking over for Sanders are slim, any setback throughout the season could influence the coaching staff’s decisions.

Taylen Green’s situation is somewhat easier to assess. His rookie season will be about gaining experience, surrounding himself with more seasoned NFL players, and potentially seeing some snaps at some point during the season if the situation calls for it.

The Browns’ final test

The 2026 NFL preseason has so far brought two tough losses for the Browns, who are undergoing a constant rebuilding process. Their preseason opener ended in a 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, followed by the same outcome one week later, this time against the Buffalo Bills in a 31-7 defeat.

Huntington Bank Stadium will be the stage for Todd Monken’s team’s final test, as it hosts the New England Patriots. There, the head coach and his staff will draw their final conclusions ahead of the start of the upcoming season.

Green earned his coach’s recognition

Green was selected with the 182nd overall pick in the sixth round of the latest draft out of the Arkansas Razorbacks. While his chances of seeing the field this season are low, Todd Monken made it clear that they are very happy to have acquired his services.

“First of all, he’s so damn smart,” the HC said. “That dude is smart as heck to go out there and function, we hardly give him any reps. I love that dude. It’s just hard. We have four guys. It’s hard to give them all reps. We’ve got him on the perimeter one time, which is what you’ve got to do down there in the red zone, but all he does is work, always has a smile on his face. I’m happy we got him. But it’s hard to fit him in with the reps and rep count we have.”

Cleveland’s debut

The Cleveland Browns will open the upcoming season on the road. Their debut will take place at EverBank Stadium on September 13, when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Verse arrived as part of a blockbuster trade the Rams did with the Browns to acquire Myles Garrett. He used to wear number eight on the Rams, and he decided to keep that number, despite it being already issued to QB Dillon Gabriel.

Gabriel played six games in 2025 as a rookie. However, he lost his starting spot to Shedeur Sanders in the second half of the season. Now, he is behind Sanders and Deshaun Watson in the Browns’ QB battle.

Who is the Browns’ No. 8?

As of now, both Verse and Gabriel are wearing that jersey number. Teams have some freedom to double up on jersey numbers during the 90-man portion of the calendar. Once, the roster is cut to the final 53 men, only one can have it. Now, it remains to be seen if Gabriel will be on that final roster. If he doesn’t, No. 8 will be Verse’s number.

The ironic part in all of this, is that the Browns are the ones in charge of the numbers. They could just reclaim and reissue the number to Verse if they want. Still, at least for now, they’ll live with two No. 8’s on the team.

Is Myles Garrett using No. 95 on the Rams?

Yes, Myles Garrett will continue to use his mythical No. 95 jersey on the Rams. However, Garrett did buy his jersey number for an undisclosed fee from Poona Ford. Garrett took a much more traditional approach.

Also, that might have been because Ford is really likely to stay on the 53-man roster. When speaking on the matter, Garrett said it took “more than a couple” of bucks for Ford to give him the No. 95.

That stance was confirmed by insider Adam Schefter, who reported: “Despite drafting QB Taylen Green today, the Browns say they have no plans to trade QB Dillon Gabriel.”

Even with that assurance, the reality in Cleveland remains complicated. With Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Gabriel, and now Green all in the mix, the Browns are once again navigating a crowded and highly controversial quarterback situation.

A crowded QB depth chart for the Browns

Keeping Dillon Gabriel in the fold suggests the Browns still value his role, whether as depth or as a legitimate competitor. After already being part of a crowded battle last season, his position doesn’t necessarily weaken, but it doesn’t become clearer either with new head coach Todd Monken.

The bigger picture centers on how all four quarterbacks coexist. Watson brings experience, Sanders carries intrigue as a potential QB1 despite an inconsistent year in 2025, Gabriel remains a steady option, and Green enters as a developmental piece with upside. That combination creates opportunity, but also uncertainty.

For Sanders in particular, the message is unmistakable. Even if the coaching staff believes in his potential, the constant additions to the room reinforce that nothing will be handed to him. Every rep, every practice, and every preseason snap will matter.

And while the Browns insist there are no plans to trade Gabriel, situations like this rarely stay static. As training camp unfolds and roles begin to take shape, decisions will have to be made. It’s hard to expect four quarterbacks will remain on the roster.

“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)

Despite this, Stefanski holds a special fondness for these two players, who saw playing time during their rookie season. During a recent appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, the head coach reflected on his time with Sanders and Gabriel.

“Those two young players, I loved those guys. I loved coaching them. I loved their development. As a coach, why we do this is you take a player and you try to get a little more out of them. You try to develop them. I want to get this guy better at that,” Stefanski said.

“Both those guys you can point to their rookie seasons and say man they got better in these areas. Ultimately, we want to continue to improve those guys and both of them will. I think very highly of those two young men.”

A new era in Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns have officially entered a new era by hiring Todd Monken as their head coach, a move that signals a major shift toward an aggressive, pass-heavy offense. Monken, who previously led high-powered units in Georgia and Baltimore, now faces the critical task of stabilizing a quarterback room that has seen constant turnover.

While Shedeur Sanders finished the 2025 season as the starter—recording 1,400 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across 8 games—his status as QB1 for 2026 remains a subject of intense debate. Although Monken shared a viral moment with Sanders upon his arrival, admitting he had “tried to draft him” while with the Ravens, the front office has yet to officially commit.

With a 68.1 passer rating in his rookie campaign, Sanders will likely have to compete in training camp against potential veteran additions or high-draft picks to prove he is the long-term answer for Monken’s system.

Per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, Kevin Stefanski assured that Shedeur Sanders will start next Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. This will be the third-straight start for Sanders after taking the starting spot over Dillon Gabriel.

Gabriel played six games as the starter and had a 1-5 record, while Sanders is 1-1. Now, while Gabriel might be a more secure QB, he brings a very low ceiling. Sanders can be a bit more reckless, but his upside is tremendous.

Sanders will play against his college nemesis

There are a few clips that show Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders training together and there is a visible tension between them. While Sanders is an extrovert, Ward just wants to focus on playing football. Now, they will face each other next week for bragging rights. They have declared they are friends, but a sports rivalry is surely there.

Ward is 1-10 with the Titans and while his overall play is not good, his talent is also undeniable. Ward is completing less than 60% of his passes and has seven touchdowns to six interceptions. However, the eye test suggests that he has arm talent to spare. The Titans are certainly not helping him look better.

Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders had an indirect battle in college

Last season, Cam Ward ended fourth in the Heisman run. Sanders wasn’t a finalist, but a key weapon of his ended up winning the Heisman. Travis Hunter was the best receiver in Colorado, where Sanders played. Now, Hunter also played cornerback at a very high level, but his production offensively came thanks to Sanders in part.

Curiously enough, Browns’ teammate Dillon Gabriel ended third in the Heisman votes. Now, Sanders, who was below all of them, is starting over Gabriel and will likely be favored in his matchup against Ward.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Browns’ head coach has confirmed that Sanders will remain the starter following his outstanding performance in Las Vegas.

“The #Browns are naming QB Shedeur Sanders as their starting QB this week against the #49ers, sources say. After the rookie fifth-rounder impressed with a 209-yard passing day with a TD, he gets another start,” the insider reported via @RapSheet.

Sanders’ outstanding performance at Allegiant Stadium even drew a reaction from President Donald Trump himself. The QB carried his teammates to an important 24–10 victory, and he’ll look to do the same next weekend against the Bay Area squad.

A promising debut as starter

Shedeur Sanders secured an emblematic 24-10 victory for the Browns in his first NFL start against the Raiders. He finished the game completing 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards, highlighted by his first career touchdown—a crucial 66-yard screen pass in the fourth quarter—and only just one interception.

What happened to Gabriel?

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel was placed in concussion protocol following the Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on November 16, 2025. This injury, sustained during the Ravens game, forced him to miss the subsequent Week 12 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Still, the former Colorado Buffaloes player hasn’t yet seen any snaps with the starting unit, even though the head coach himself has expressed being very pleased with Shedeur’s performance in practice.

“He’s doing a really nice job, including just now coming off the field with the red zone drill that we did, so continues to work very hard, doing a nice job in meetings, doing a good job,” Stefanski stated via Daniel Oyefusi.

With a series of intriguing matchups ahead, it looks like the former Ducks player will remain in charge of the first team. However, judging by the coach’s comments, he can’t get too comfortable, as his backup is performing exceptionally well.

Gabriel’s season so far

Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s tenure as the Cleveland Browns’ QB1 has been a rocky transition to the NFL, with the team currently holding a 2-7 record. Through seven games, including five starts, the third-round pick has completed 102 of 174 attempts for a 58.6% completion rate.

Gabriel has totaled 869 passing yards, throwing 7 touchdowns against 2 interceptions, resulting in an 80.4 Passer Rating. While praised for his low turnover rate, Gabriel’s 5.0 yards per attempt is among the lowest in the league, and he has been sacked 17 times. Despite the team’s struggles, Coach Kevin Stefanski has publicly maintained that the team will stick with Gabriel as the starter.

What’s next for the Browns?

Dillon Gabriel is set to continue his trial-by-fire as the Cleveland Browns enter one of the most demanding three-game stretches on their calendar. It begins with a crucial AFC North divisional clash at home against the dominant Baltimore Ravens, where Gabriel will need to protect the ball against a fierce defense.

Following that, the Browns travel west to take on the Las Vegas Raiders in a key inter-conference battle. The gauntlet concludes with a difficult home game against the San Francisco 49ers.

For the 2-7 Browns, this upcoming schedule—especially the matchups with the Ravens and 49ers—will be a critical measure of whether Gabriel can withstand elite NFL pressure.

The Browns have not had a great 2025 NFL season. The AFC North club currently has a disappointing 2-6 record and sits at the bottom of the division.

During their bye week, the Browns decided to make a change to try to turn things around. It is crucial for them to stop the losing streak and help Dillon Gabriel in the second half of the campaign.

What is the change that Kevin Stefanski has made?

The Browns had their bye in Week 9, a necessary moment for the club to assess the issues that have led them to the bottom of the AFC North so far.

Like many head coaches in the NFL, Kevin Stefanski was in charge of play-calling — but not anymore. He has revealed that OC Tommy Rees will call all offensive plays from now on.

“These are things that I’m always looking at — what can we do better,” HC Kevin Stefanski said, via Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald. “I have a ton of trust and faith in Tommy. He’s more than capable, so excited for him. But, bottom line is, we have to just get better collectively — so that’s offense, that’s defense, that’s special teams, that’s players, that’s coaching. So, that’s our charge and that’s what we’re working hard to do.”

It is the second year in a row that Stefanski gives up play-calling. During the 2024 season, he entrusted former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey with that task.

Any changes at quarterback for the Browns?

Even though Kevin Stefanski has given up offensive play-calling, he has not given up on Dillon Gabriel — at least not yet.

In Week 10, the Browns will face the New York Jets. Kevin Stefanski has confirmed that Dillon Gabriel will start, meaning that Shedeur Sanders will remain the backup QB.

From now on, the former Oregon Ducks player will have to rely on the rest of his running back depth chart, which includes Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson. It’s worth noting that Raheim Sanders is also out.

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Judkins had to leave Gillette Stadium with a shoulder injury and is awaiting further evaluation. “Browns RB Quinshon Judkins has been ruled out with a shoulder injury,” the insider reported via @TomPelissero.

If the severity of the injury is confirmed, it would be a major blow to a Browns offense that has faced endless problems since the start of the season—not only due to injuries but also because of unexpected absences during the campaign.

Judkins’ impact on the Browns’ offense

The Cleveland Browns‘ ground game takes a massive hit with the loss of rookie running back Quinshon Judkins to injury. Judkins has been the clear focal point of the run-heavy offense, leading the team with 467 rushing yards on 109 carries and accounting for five rushing touchdowns through the first half of the season.

His absence removes the primary threat who averaged 4.3 yards per carry and leaves a massive vacuum of production for a Browns offense that relies heavily on establishing the run.

A season to forget

The Cleveland Browns are sinking into a familiar mid-season crisis, primarily due to catastrophic instability on offense. What began as a question mark at quarterback has become a turnstile, with the team moving on from both veteran Joe Flacco and the recently acquired Kenny Pickett, throwing rookie Dillon Gabriel into the fire.

Compounding the turmoil, a rash of significant injuries—including key losses on the offensive line and in the run game—has left the unit creatively bankrupt. This constant churn and lack of cohesion are largely responsible for the team’s disappointing start, leaving the once-hyped offense struggling to find any consistent rhythm.