Browns predicted to make franchise-altering move after 2026 season
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Browns predicted to make franchise-altering move after 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cleveland Browns are in an interesting position as they prepare for the 2026 season.
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The team has four quarterbacks competing for the starting quarterback job, and you know what they say about quarterbacks- if you have more than one, you really have none.
Neither Shedeur Sanders nor Dillon Gabriel did much of anything as rookies in 2025 to instill confidence going forward. Deshaun Watson is reportedly the favorite as of right now, but that whole situation comes with its own problems. Finally, the team spent ANOTHER draft pick on a quarterback in 2026, adding Arkansas passer Taylen Green.
Pretty much nobody wants Watson to start, for obvious reasons, but can you really trust Sanders, Gabriel, or Green? There doesn't seem to be a great option, and as a result, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report counts the Browns among the most quarterback-desperate teams in the league.
"When you have four quarterbacks entering an open competition, you don't have a clear starter, and Deshaun Watson is reportedly emerging as the early offseason front‑runner, which should be a major concern for the Cleveland Browns," Knox explained.
As Knox mentioned, it has to be majorly concerning if Watson is legitimately considered your best quarterback option in the year 2026. It's not hard to imagine the Browns struggling mightily in 2026, no matter who is playing quarterback.
Assuming the Browns do struggle again next season, they should have plenty of options in the draft. Arch Manning, Dante Moore, C.J. Carr are just some of the quarterbacks expected to go early in 2027.
Who will win the Browns' QB1 job in 2026?
As mentioned above, Watson is currently seen as the favorite to land the job in 2026. However, Watson hasn't seen the field since 2024, and his performance wasn't exactly that impressive. It's been a very long time since Watson looked like a Pro Bowler, both due to off-field reasons and injuries.
Sanders had an ugly stat line as a rookie, but there could be some hope that the Colorado product could improve with a better supporting cast. The Browns used two early draft picks on wide receivers, and also drafted tackle Spencer Fano in the first round to hopefully improve their offensive line.
Still, no matter who wins the job, it's hard to have much confidence in the team going forward until they secure a franchise passer.