For all the noise around the Browns, the real question in Berea is still the same one that keeps hanging over everything else: who’s going to play quarterback?
That issue has already defined too much of Cleveland’s recent story, and it remains the biggest drag on an otherwise more promising-looking roster. NFL Spin Zone’s Lou Scataglia put the concern in brutal terms: "They might have one of the worst QB rooms we've seen this century.”
That may be overstating it a bit, but it’s hard to look at the setup and feel great about it. Shedeur Sanders has drawn positive reviews for his accuracy, processing ability, and overall footwork and mechanics. He’s still young, and there’s room for growth after an underwhelming rookie season, but the arrow is at least moving in the right direction.
Even so, the Browns’ handling of the position says plenty. If they were fully convinced Sanders was the answer, Deshaun Watson probably wouldn’t still be in the conversation to start. Watson’s place in the mix is its own kind of indictment of Sanders as a possible franchise quarterback.
And Cleveland had chances to do more this offseason. The Browns weren’t interested in Malik Willis or Kyler Murray, didn’t try to trade for Mac Jones, and added only one outside quarterback: Day 3 rookie Taylen Green, a developmental prospect. That leaves open the possibility that the team believes Watson and Sanders were their best bets for 2026.
Still, this isn’t the same Browns offense the league has seen before, and that matters.
There’s real talent around the quarterback now. Denzel Boston has emerged as a breakout candidate and has been one of the stars of training camp. KC Concepcion gives the offense a big-play element, and he looks like a natural playmaker who may be moving past the drop issues that followed him.
Harold Fannin Jr. and Quinshon Judkins are back as well. Fannin was a quarterback-proof YAC machine as a rookie, and Judkins has earned strong praise for his explosiveness in training camp.
The offensive line should be better, too. Health alone is a major upgrade after whatever unfolded last year, and even if it takes time for the unit to gel, it’s tough to imagine that group being as poor as it was in 2025.
Then there’s Todd Monken, who brings a different kind of energy to the job. His offenses have worked at every level because he adjusts to the personnel he has, rather than forcing personnel into a rigid system. If there’s a coach in this setup who can manufacture answers, it’s him.
That should help the Browns in a very real way. A more varied scheme, sharper play-calling, and more moving parts can make life easier for either quarterback option, even if both remain underwhelming. For once, defenses may not know exactly what’s coming.
Context matters here, too. Watson and Sanders have both had rough stretches, but they’ve also been operating in bad conditions: Kevin Stefanski’s play-calling kept them on a leash, the offensive line never stayed healthy, the run game offered little support, and the Browns didn’t have enough pass-catching help.
Now they’ll have more to work with. A stronger ground game, better protection, and a more creative play-caller give Cleveland a better shot at getting something functional out of the position.
That doesn’t erase the quarterback problem. It just means the rest of the roster may finally be good enough to keep it from swallowing everything whole.
In Other News...
Browns Camp Is Already Highlighting A Bigger Story Than QB Battle
The quarterback competition in Berea has drawn plenty of attention, with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders sharing the spotlight as Browns training camp unfolds in 2026. But as camp gets rolling, the bigger picture is starting to form around everything else happening on the field and around it, from the early work on the roster to the kind of details that make August feel like its own little season.
Todd Monken has given the sessions a little extra life with his press conferences, while the kickers, the fan seating setup and the autograph lines have all become part of the daily rhythm. There is also the Puppy Pound adoption event adding some lighter texture to camp, which says plenty about how many layers there are to watch here before the Browns even get to the real questions under center. [Read more 🡒]
Todd Monkens Early Browns Impact Could Shape This Messy Camp
Todd Monken arrives in Cleveland with the kind of first-impression that can matter in a camp built around uncertainty. The 60-year-old is taking on his first NFL head coaching job after replacing Kevin Stefanski, and his early profile fits a Browns team that needs some order on offense. Hes known as a disciplinarian with an offensive-minded touch, and he already seems to be connecting well with the rosters younger players while the new-look offensive line gets sorted out.
The larger backdrop, of course, is a camp where the Browns still have plenty to settle on the offensive side, from the quarterback competition to how quickly the line can come together. Even so, the defense gives Monken something more stable to lean on, with an experienced core that has stayed intact through recent extensions for key players. For a coach trying to establish a standard early, that balance of upheaval and continuity could make these first weeks in Berea especially revealing. [Read more 🡒]