The Cleveland Browns have some tough choices to make ahead of next season. The quarterback situation at the franchise is still complicated with Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel all vying for the starting spot.
With a 5-12 record in the regular season and a playoff miss, the Browns have really disappointed their fans. Ahead of next season, there is much uncertainty regarding one of the players with an ex-scout revealing his opinion.
The Browns’ new head coach Todd Monken has to make a tough choice between rookie Sanders, veteran Watson, or Gabriel. Sanders was drafted only last season, yet became the starter when the other two were unavailable. He passed for 1,400 yards and 7 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in the 8 games he played in.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a pass in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
However, ex-NFL scout Daniel Kelly does not think the Browns should rely on him next season. The ex-New York Jets scout had some scathing words for the player, [tweeting](https://x.com/firstroundmock/status/2028156479769882897?s=20) that they should release him quickly, “If the Browns have any hope of contending in 2026, the best move they can make is to release Shedeur Sanders as quickly as humanly possible.”
He added, “As a backup he’s proven to just to be a distraction and he makes himself a “story” in front of the cameras, and as a starter, he’s just a 56.6% completion percentage who threw 7 TD against 10 interceptions while posting the second-lowest QBR the NFL has seen in the past 20 seasons.”
Indeed, Sanders QBR rating is the second-lowest in the NFL over the last 20 seasons for quarterbacks. It is also the worst single-season record for a quarterback in Browns history with at least six starts. It seems that the 24-year-old will have strong competition for the quarterback position.
Sanders will have strong competition from veteran Watson, who is expected to return from injury before the new season starts. He is well-established, experienced and can be expected to reclaim his QB1 position. Gabriel is also in the equation, but is not being thought of as a better option.
The Browns are also thinking of adding college football program Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.. Beck previously played under Monken at Georgia from 2020-2022, and the player has expressed support for such a move. He lead the Hurricanes to the CFB championship game last season which they lost to the Indiana Hoosiers.
Shedeur Sanders will have some strong competition for his spot next season, and Todd Monken must decide who he will choose to be his signal-caller.