The Cleveland Browns came into the 2026 NFL offseason with a few very clear needs on the offensive side of the ball.
They needed to completely revamp the entire offensive line, and they also had to upgrade their wide receiver room. Thanks to free agency and especially the 2026 NFL Draft, the Browns fixed both issues on their roster.
However, according to ESPN's Aaron Schatz, there is still one big roster hole left to be fixed: the quarterback position.
"The Browns have three quarterbacks who will battle for the starting job in 2026, but it's hard to pretend that any of them have been good," Schatz writes.
With Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Deshaun Watson fighting for the starting job, and Taylen Green a fun rookie, the Browns have four QBs, none of whom are the long-term answer at the position. And the fix likely won't come until next year as well.
Browns have a big QB issue that won't be fixed until 2027
All four of the current Browns QB options for the initial 53-man roster are not likely to be the long-term answer.
Gabriel wasn't nearly impressive enough in his starts last year to earn a starting spot, and he's already been rumored to be traded, and is likely not the starter this year.
Watson is expensive and stuck on this Browns roster. If they hadn't invested so much into him, he likely would've been cut a while ago. He certainly isn't the future here.
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Green is a developmental rookie who likely shouldn't start this year and is best served as the third or fourth QB that needs a lot of development. He's a fun prospect, but nothing more for now.
Lastly, Sanders has the best chance to be a long-term success, but even he has a lot of sack and interception issues he'd need to correct in 2026 to prove his long-term worth.
None of these four options is likely the long-term answer for the Browns. Instead, they're more likely to find their franchise QB during the 2027 NFL Draft.
It's expected to be a stacked class at the QB position, and it would hardly be a surprise if the Browns spent their first-rounder next year on a top QB prospect.
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