Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Getty
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
The Cleveland Browns haven’t finalized their quarterback hierarchy, but the message to everyone in the room — including Shedeur Sanders — is already clear.
Cleveland enters the 2026 season with Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel all under contract. The Browns have not made any additions to the room, passing on veteran quarterbacks in free agency. New head coach Todd Monken hasn’t shied away from the uncertainty, making it clear no one has separated from the pack.
“Sure, I think it’s an open competition,” Monken said. “I don’t know why it wouldn’t be. I don’t mean that harshly, but I don’t think there’s enough on film over the last couple years — one way or the other — to say, ‘we have our starter at quarterback yet,’ whether internally or externally.”
That stance was echoed by general manager Andrew Berry, who made it clear the path to QB1 isn’t about contracts, pedigree or past production. It’s about what happens next.
“Ultimately, it comes down to performance,” Berry said at the NFL’s owners meeting in Phoenix on Sunday. “Nobody has touched the grass; nobody has really worked with our coaching staff. I wouldn’t handicap it for anyone. I think everyone in that room deserves opportunity.”
Browns Don’t Tip Hand on Drafting QB
The Browns appear content to roll with their current group of quarterbacks for next season. However, the Browns could still add a quarterback through the draft. Cleveland holds two first-round picks — the sixth overall selection and No. 24. In all, the Browns have 10 draft picks at their disposal.
The most prominent name linked to Cleveland is Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. When asked about him, Andrew Berry kept his comments brief, calling Simpson a player with a “bright future” but offering little beyond that in terms of evaluation. Berry did note that the Browns may be interested in adding a younger prospect to the mix.
“Our lean would be if we do add someone to the quarterback room, it would be someone who’s a younger player, most likely,” Berry said.
Simpson enters the draft as one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in his class, coming off his first full season as a starter at Alabama. The redshirt junior threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions across 15 games while completing 64.5% of his passes and posting a 145.2 passer rating.
Berry added that it’s “wholly realistic” that a rookie quarterback — if added — would have a legitimate chance to compete for the starting job.
Browns See Elite Traits in Shedeur Sanders
Sanders started the final seven games of last season for the Browns. He went 3-4 in those contests, passing for 1,400 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The production was uneven, but Monken came away convinced Sanders possesses a rare, high-end trait.
“I think what you see is elite playmaking ability. That’s in him,” Monken said. “You’ve seen it. We’ve seen it. You saw it in college. You saw it on tape last year. Sure, there’s a ways to go. But what rookie isn’t, I mean, what first year player doesn’t have a long way to go? So, I’m excited to get started with him and all of our quarterbacks and all of our players.”
Monken and the Browns also appear genuinely interested in seeing what Watson brings to the table after more than a year on the sidelines. Watson — who is entering the final year of his contract — has played in just 19 games since 2020, but Monken has expressed a desire to try to tap into the Pro Bowl potential he showed with the Houston Texans.