Browns QB Battle Takes Shape as Monken Rotates Watson, Sanders, Gabriel

The Cleveland Browns enter the 2026 offseason with one of the league’s most closely watched quarterback competitions. With a new head coach in Todd Monken, the team is shifting toward an open evaluation process rather than an early commitment to a starter.

Monken outlined his approach this week, emphasizing that Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel will all receive opportunities to work with each unit during practice. The plan includes rotating reps across the first, second, and third teams.

According to Monken, the staff intends to evaluate performance daily rather than rely on a fixed depth chart. He stressed that roles will remain fluid, with adjustments made based on what the coaching staff observes on the field.

The approach signals a true competition heading into training camp, with no clear frontrunner established as offseason workouts begin.

1. An Open Competition Under Monken

Monken’s decision to rotate all three quarterbacks through every unit marks a clear departure from traditional starter-first planning. Instead of building around a designated QB1, the Browns will test adaptability and consistency across all reps. The coaching staff views practice distribution as a key evaluation tool. By giving each quarterback time with different groups, the team can better assess how each performs under varying levels of support and pressure. Monken emphasized that nothing is locked in place, suggesting that daily performance will heavily influence the evolving depth chart. That flexibility sets the tone for a competitive camp environment. For Cleveland, the move reflects both uncertainty and opportunity, as the organization looks to stabilize a position that has seen significant turnover in recent years.

2. Watson’s Return to a Crowded Room

Deshaun Watson enters the competition as the most experienced quarterback in the group, preparing for his eighth NFL season. However, his recent availability remains a major question mark heading into camp. Watson missed the 2025-26 season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered the year prior. His rehab process also included complications, including a re-tear during recovery, which further delayed his return timeline. Despite the setbacks, Watson remains part of the quarterback rotation and will be given equal opportunity to compete for the starting role. His experience and prior production give him a distinct résumé advantage, even as health concerns linger. The Browns are expected to closely monitor his workload during practices as they assess both performance and durability.

3. Sanders and Gabriel Push for Year 2 Leap

Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel enter their second NFL seasons with an opportunity to significantly elevate their standing in the quarterback room. Both saw meaningful action last year, offering the Browns early glimpses of their development. Sanders appeared in eight games and started seven, throwing for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 56.6 percent of his passes. His rookie campaign showed flashes of production, though consistency remained an area for growth. Gabriel played in 10 games with six starts, finishing with 937 passing yards and two touchdowns on a 59.5 percent completion rate. While his statistical output was more modest, the coaching staff values his decision-making and adaptability. With both young quarterbacks now entering Year 2, the competition offers Cleveland a chance to evaluate long-term potential against a veteran presence in Watson.