Browns Quarterback Competition Defines Cleveland’s 2026 Outlook

As training camps creep closer in late June 2026, the Cleveland Browns face one of the more fascinating quarterback competitions in the NFL. Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders sit at opposite ends of their careers, yet both could share the same roster when the regular season kicks off.

The Browns have chased a franchise quarterback for what feels like forever. Multiple first-round swings came up empty. Now they sit in clear rebuild mode after shipping star edge rusher Myles Garrett to the Rams. New head coach Todd Monken, the former Ravens offensive coordinator, inherits the mess and the opportunity.

Pelissero Pours Cold Water on Sanders Trade Talk

Recent whispers suggested the Browns might shop Sanders. NFL insider Tom Pelissero, appearing on The Rich Eisen Show, made his stance crystal clear.

“Anything out there that they are looking to trade him, I would put zero stock in that. If I had to make an educated guess, I’d say he (Sanders) and Deshaun Watson, both are on the team in September.”

Pelissero’s read tracks with basic roster logic. The Browns drafted Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 draft for a reason. Giving the young quarterback another year to develop inside Monken’s system costs almost nothing and carries real upside. Moving him now would be shortsighted.

Sanders’ Rocky Rookie Year Offers Clues

Sanders appeared in eight games with seven starts as a rookie in 2025. The numbers were rough: 120-of-212 passing (56.6 percent) for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, he posted a 56.7 score that ranked third-worst among qualified quarterbacks. PFF’s overall grade of 44.1 placed him near the bottom of the league as well.

Yet he still earned a Pro Bowl selection, a testament to name recognition and flashes that kept fans intrigued. Turnovers and inconsistent play defined the sample size. The question now is whether Monken’s scheme and a full offseason can unlock better decision-making and poise.

Watson’s Durability Questions Loom Large

Watson’s recent history tells its own story. He has played in just 19 games across the past five seasons. Injuries have robbed him of rhythm and the Browns of any consistent identity at the position. When healthy, the veteran has shown the arm talent and experience that once made him a franchise cornerstone. Staying on the field remains the hurdle.

Entering the final year of his massive contract, Watson is getting a legitimate shot under Monken. The new coaching staff has split first-team reps between the two quarterbacks this spring, and Watson has looked sharp in limited public glimpses. Still, the clock is ticking on his Cleveland tenure.

Why Sanders Figures to See the Field

Cleveland’s direction points toward the future. Sanders sits on a cheap rookie deal that runs through 2028. Watson’s big-money year creates natural tension. In a rebuild, teams usually lean into the controllable asset who can grow with the roster.

Monken’s background developing quarterbacks in Baltimore suggests he will push both players hard in camp. The competition itself should raise the floor. If Sanders continues closing the gap he showed during OTAs and minicamp, the Browns could easily pivot toward him by midseason or sooner.

You can almost feel the tension that will hang over Berea once pads come on. Long-suffering Browns fans have watched this movie before—veteran vs. young prospect, hope vs. skepticism. This time the stakes feel different because the franchise finally appears willing to rip the bandage off and start fresh.

The Bottom Line Heading Into Camp

Pelissero’s educated guess looks sound. Both Watson and Sanders will almost certainly wear Browns uniforms when September arrives. Watson may open as the starter thanks to experience and contract realities. Sanders will push him every step and likely see meaningful snaps as the season unfolds.

The real winner might be the organization that finally stops cycling through expensive, short-term answers at quarterback. For once, Cleveland has two options on the roster that make developmental and financial sense. How Monken and general manager Andrew Berry navigate the summer will shape the franchise for years.

Training camp can’t start soon enough.