Cleveland Browns Face Quarterback Dilemma for 2026 Season
The Cleveland Browns' two-decade quest for a franchise quarterback appears far from over, despite the high-profile arrival of Shedeur Sanders in 2025. General manager Andrew Berry expressed significant uncertainty this week when discussing the team's quarterback options with reporters at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.
Multiple Options Under Consideration
When directly questioned about whether Sanders or veteran Deshaun Watson would secure the starting position next season, Berry responded that it was 'too early to say' with any certainty. This ambiguity has been reinforced by reports from Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, who indicates the Browns are evaluating several quarterback possibilities for the upcoming campaign.
The potential candidates include:
- Deshaun Watson, the embattled veteran whose career has been marred by multiple challenges
- Free agent quarterback Malik Willis
- Alabama product Ty Simpson, a projected first-round selection in the upcoming draft
Watson's Complicated Situation
New head coach Todd Monken has reportedly shown interest in Watson, despite the quarterback's troubled recent history. Watson's professional trajectory has been significantly disrupted by:
- Twenty-seven settled lawsuits from women alleging inappropriate behavior during massage sessions
- Persistent erratic performance on the field
- Significant injury concerns, including recovery from not one but two ruptured Achilles tendons
Remarkably, Watson hasn't completed a full season since 2020, though Cabot previously reported the former Clemson and Houston Texans star demonstrated promising form during December practice sessions. His statistical record with Cleveland reveals further concerns, with just nine wins in nineteen starts and a sack rate approaching twelve percent of his drop backs.
Sanders' Unpredictable Rookie Campaign
Shedeur Sanders experienced a turbulent introduction to professional football during his debut season. After surprisingly falling from a projected first-round selection to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, the quarterback received unexpected public endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Sanders ultimately started seven games, achieving a 3-4 record while posting concerning statistics that included ten interceptions against just seven touchdown passes. Despite these mixed results, he earned an unlikely Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, adding another layer of complexity to the Browns' evaluation process.
Broader Offensive Overhaul Expected
The Browns' defensive unit performed admirably last season, ranking fourth in yards allowed across the NFL. However, the offense struggled profoundly, finishing worse than all but one team in the league. This disparity suggests significant changes are imminent under Monken, who joins Cleveland after serving as offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.
The transformation extends beyond the quarterback position. Former Browns right guard Wyatt Teller recently announced via Instagram his intention to enter free agency and sign with a new team for the 2026 season. This departure means the entire Browns offensive line will test free agency, with starters Cam Robinson, Ethan Pocic, Jack Conklin and Joel Bitonio all seeking new opportunities.
Draft Strategy and Future Planning
Cleveland possesses valuable draft capital with the sixth and twenty-fourth selections in the first round of April's draft. These picks could be utilized to bolster the offensive line, providing crucial protection for whichever quarterback ultimately earns the Week 1 starting position.
Cabot has additionally reported the Browns might explore trading down in the draft to accumulate more selections and address multiple roster needs simultaneously. This strategic flexibility suggests the organization recognizes the quarterback decision represents just one component of a comprehensive offensive rebuild required to compete effectively in the upcoming season.
