The Cleveland Browns are staring down a quarterback conundrum in 2026 that’s as murky as it is critical. After another season of instability under center, the Browns are facing tough decisions-and not a lot of great options.
Let’s start with the draft. For much of the season, it looked like Cleveland was in position to land the No. 1 overall pick, which would have made the quarterback decision a lot easier.
But late-season wins over Pittsburgh and Cincinnati-neither of which came in particularly inspiring fashion-pushed the Browns down to the No. 6 spot. That win over the Steelers?
Pittsburgh seemed more focused on Myles Garrett’s sack record than the scoreboard. And the Bengals game?
A six-point “offensive explosion” tells you everything you need to know.
Now, with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza expected to go first overall and the rest of the quarterback class looking thin-especially after Dante Moore returned to Oregon and Trinidad Chambliss is trying to stay another year at Mississippi-the idea of grabbing a quarterback in the first round doesn’t seem viable. Even looking at Day 2 options feels like a stretch. This isn’t the year to be reaching for a developmental project.
So where does that leave Cleveland?
Unless GM Andrew Berry and new head coach Todd Monken decide to roll the dice in free agency-perhaps by entering a bidding war for Green Bay’s Malik Willis, who’s made just six starts in four years-the Browns are likely to run it back with the same quarterback room they had last season.
That means Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are back in the mix. As rookies, they finished 38th and 39th out of 42 qualified quarterbacks in completion percentage over expected, per Next Gen Stats.
Not exactly what you want from your future at the position. Between them, they produced 25 turnover-worthy plays and only 13 big-time throws, according to Pro Football Focus.
Add in Joe Flacco’s early-season cameo, and Cleveland quarterbacks combined for a 46.5 PFF passing grade-the worst in the league.
And then there’s Deshaun Watson.
Watson hasn’t played since Week 7 of the 2024 season, when he suffered the first of two torn Achilles injuries. He’s also had major shoulder surgery on his throwing arm and a past ACL tear in 2017. That’s a staggering injury history for any player, let alone a quarterback who relies on mobility and arm strength.
Because of salary cap implications, Watson will be on the roster in 2026. That much is clear.
What’s not clear is whether he’ll be in the mix for the starting job. Monken is reportedly giving everyone a clean slate, and that includes Watson.
But even with a fresh start, the question becomes: what version of Watson are we getting?
Let’s look at the numbers. In 19 games with the Browns, Watson has been sacked 70 times, thrown 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and ranked dead last-33rd out of 33 starting quarterbacks-in OBR’s 2024 rankings.
That’s not just rust. That’s regression.
There’s also the reality that Watson hasn’t had a truly productive season since 2020. That was five years ago.
A lot has changed since then, both on and off the field. And while some have pointed to former head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offensive scheme as a reason for Watson’s struggles, the injuries and overall performance tell a bigger story.
As for the rest of the quarterback depth chart, the current thinking inside the building seems to be that Gabriel is viewed more as a backup than a long-term starter. And while Monken and Sanders shared a much-discussed embrace, there’s been no official word on who will lead the offense come September.
So here’s the reality: the Browns are heading into 2026 with a quarterback room full of question marks. Watson’s health and effectiveness are huge unknowns.
Sanders and Gabriel haven’t shown enough to inspire confidence. And the draft and free agency don’t offer any easy fixes.
It’s early in the offseason, and things can change quickly in the NFL. But right now, Cleveland’s quarterback situation feels less like a competition and more like a waiting game-one that could define Monken’s first season and shape the Browns' future for years to come.