Cleveland Browns
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Browns likely to start Shedeur Sanders.
The Cleveland Browns could be rolling with Shedeur Sanders as their starting quarterback in 2026.
Cleveland has a big question mark at quarterback as Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel are all under contract and competing for the job. Yet, it does appear to be a two-horse race between Sanders and Watson.
However, the Browns could also draft a quarterback. And Cleveland has been linked to Ty Simpson with their second first-round pick. Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic doesn’t think the team will heavily pursue Simpson. Instead, the team is fine with Sanders starting.
“Thus far, the 2026 Browns have stuck with the three passers they already had under contract. And have set the stage for a spring and summer quarterback competition,” Jackson wrote. “I’d be surprised if the quarterback room in September is still Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel. But I think the current group is set to have the most realistic shot at winning the job this summer. …
“I think the Browns are fine giving Sanders a fuller evaluation. With the 2027 quarterback draft class and the possibility of a mid-round (or even post-draft) addition in the background.”
Sanders ended the year as the Browns’ starting quarterback, which plays a role in why Jackson expects him to start in 2026. Cleveland also has to give him more run to see if he can be a potential franchise quarterback.
Browns Unlikely to Use a 1st-Round Pick on Simpson
Cleveland has been linked to drafting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, but it likely won’t be in the first round.
Jackson believes the Browns have more needs than drafting a quarterback in the first round. So, unless Simpson falls to the second round, Jackson believes the Browns won’t be selecting the former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback.
“From what I’ve gathered, no — not in the first round, anyway,” Jackson wrote about the potential Browns interest in Simpson. “Simpson is the No. 2 quarterback in this draft, and no one seems to know if he’ll go in the middle of the first round or even closer to the middle of the second. Simpson was just a one-year college starter, and there’s not much of a track record of those players succeeding early in their NFL careers. …
“If Simpson is still on the board headed to the second day, I think Cleveland will more seriously discuss potentially taking him at No. 39. If there’s a trade-down involving No. 6 that nets the Browns an extra Day 2 pick, I’ll go from being fairly confident they’ll draft a developmental quarterback to nearly certain they’re in the quarterback business in this draft — whatever that business ends up being.”
Simpson threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in his first year as the starter.
Sanders Gets QB1 Treatment
Entering offseason training, Sanders is widely considered to be the team’s starter.
The Browns’ official Instagram account even posted Sanders walking into the building for a voluntary workout.
Many fans believe that shows Sanders is in line to be the team’s Week 1 starter. And the Browns are hyping it up by showing him walking into the building.
Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl last season.