The quarterback picture in Cleveland is anything but settled heading into 2026, and that’s exactly how new head coach Todd Monken seems to want it. The Browns are setting the stage for a true competition under center - and rookie Shedeur Sanders will have to earn everything he gets.
According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Sanders is expected to battle it out with Deshaun Watson for the starting job this offseason. That’s no small task considering Watson, the $230 million franchise quarterback, is back in the mix after missing the entire 2025 season recovering from a right Achilles tear. He’s already resumed throwing sessions with his personal quarterback coach, Quincy Avery, and is on track to be a full participant in the offseason program.
Still, there’s a sense of optimism around Sanders inside the Browns facility. Monken’s arrival brings a more flexible offensive scheme compared to what Kevin Stefanski ran - and that could play directly into Sanders’ strengths as a dynamic playmaker.
The rookie flashed some of that ability last season when he stepped in following Dillon Gabriel’s concussion in Week 11. In eight games, Sanders threw for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns, showing poise and flashes of creativity despite the Browns finishing at the bottom of the AFC North with a 5-12 record.
Monken’s system, known for its adaptability and vertical concepts, could be a better fit for a quarterback like Sanders who thrives when the play breaks down. That said, the Browns aren’t handing out starting jobs based on potential. Watson, now healthy, will be given every opportunity to reclaim his role as QB1.
Defensive cornerstone Myles Garrett echoed that sentiment during a recent appearance on a podcast with Packers linebacker Micah Parsons. Garrett made it clear that the locker room expects the best player to win the job - regardless of contract, draft status, or experience.
“We're gonna give him (Shedeur) a shot to prove that he's the guy,” Garrett said. “We're not handing anyone that title until they go out and earn it.
He was the last guy on the field and showed some flashes. So we’re going to give him an opportunity.”
Garrett added that everyone in the quarterback room - including Watson and Gabriel - will get a real look. And that’s exactly the kind of competitive environment Monken and GM Andrew Berry are trying to cultivate.
Speaking of Berry, the Browns’ front office is keeping its foot on the gas. With two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, Cleveland is expected to go heavy on offense. Berry has made it known that the defense is close to being set - and now the focus shifts to bolstering the wide receiver corps, shoring up the offensive line, and, of course, resolving the quarterback situation.
Don’t expect the Browns to use a first-rounder on a quarterback, though. With Sanders, Watson, and Gabriel already in the building, the front office appears more focused on building around whoever wins the job than adding another name to the mix.
Dillon Gabriel, for his part, remains a depth option after logging 10 games last season and throwing for 937 yards and seven touchdowns. While he’s likely third on the depth chart heading into camp, his experience gives the Browns another layer of security - and another arm in what’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing quarterback competitions of the offseason.
Bottom line: the Browns are entering a new era with a new coach, a new scheme, and a wide-open quarterback battle. Whether it’s the veteran with something to prove, the rookie looking to seize his moment, or a former starter trying to stay in the mix, Cleveland’s QB room is going to be one of the most closely-watched storylines of the spring and summer.