Browns Launch Open Quarterback Competition for 2026 Season
The franchise faces a critical decision between the veteran’s elite past and the rookie’s recent performance as it attempts to resolve a long-standing positional crisis.
The Cleveland Browns have initiated a formal quarterback competition for the 2026 season, pitting Deshaun Watson against rookie Shedeur Sanders for the starting role. Watson, 30, returned to voluntary minicamp drills on April 21 following a 19-month absence due to two right Achilles tears and subsequent surgeries. He sat out the entire 2025 season during rehabilitation, while Sanders started seven games as a rookie, finishing with a 3-4 record and an 18.9 QBR. Both players are vying for the position as the franchise seeks a long-term solution following a difficult period involving injuries and poor performance from previous starters.
New head coach Todd Monken is overseeing the competition, stating he has not reviewed much of Watson’s recent injury-riddled film with the Browns and is focusing on his past elite skill set. Monken, a former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator, referenced Watson’s résumé as a three-time Pro Bowler in Houston when discussing the prospect of working with him. He noted that trying to evaluate Watson based on recent Cleveland film is unfair, as he is unfamiliar with the previous systems run by former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. Monken emphasized that he views Watson as a player who has exhibited elite ability in the past and believes there is potential to tap into that again.
The competition follows a turbulent period for the franchise, which finished 3-14 in 2024 and 5-12 in 2025, having cycled through multiple quarterbacks including Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett. Gabriel started six games in 2025 before a concussion, while Sanders took over for the final seven games. The Browns have started a league-high 42 quarterbacks since the franchise returned in 1999, highlighting the ongoing difficulty in finding a consistent starter. Monken, who was Cleveland’s offensive coordinator in 2019, described the situation as an open competition, noting there is insufficient film from recent years to declare a definitive starter.
Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam has expressed confidence in Watson’s potential under Monken’s guidance, describing the coach as offensive-minded and experienced in working with various quarterback styles. Haslam previously labelled the 2022 trade for Watson a "big swing-and-miss," but acknowledged that Watson now has a clean slate on the field. General Manager Andrew Berry stated that the decision will be performance-based, though the team has restructured Watson’s contract to spread his cap hit. The Browns could designate Watson as a post-June 1 release next offseason, which would incur an $86.2 million dead cap charge split between the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
The organization has bolstered its supporting cast to aid whoever emerges as the starter, trading for offensive linemen Tytus Howard, Zion Johnson, and Elgton Jenkins, and using eight of their 10 draft picks on offense. This includes selecting Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion in the first round, as well as developmental quarterback Taylen Green in the sixth round. Monken plans to enter training camp with a clear pecking order but has indicated that reps may not be equal between Watson and Sanders, with the competition likely extending through the spring and summer practices.
