The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation has been front page news in Cleveland for more than a year now, ever since the Browns took both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel during the 2025 NFL Draft. Both Sanders and Gabriel got reps as rookies, but neither one did enough to cement himself as the franchise quarterback moving forward.
Now, both Gabriel and Sanders are still in the mix for the starting job heading into 2026 under new head coach Todd Monken. However, neither one is the favorite to begin the season as the starter with Deshaun Watson returning from a torn Achilles.
On Wednesday, Monken wasn’t happy with his young quarterbacks during OTAs. After practice, he grilled them for throwing interceptions in 7-on-7 without any pressure on them in the pocket, via Zac Jackson of The Athletic.
“Monken called it ’embarrassing’ to have interceptions in 7 on 7 with no pass rush,” Jackson reported on X, formerly Twitter.
Watson did not throw an interception during the 7-on-7 period, and neither did Day 3 rookie Taylen Green, though the Arkansas product attempted just one pass. Watson had a strong showing, finishing 13-for-21 passing with a touchdown, via ESPN Cleveland.
Sanders finished the day 7-for-11 with one interception, while Gabriel also turned the ball over once on just a 1-for-4 day. If either one of them wants to have a significant role in the offense this season, they re clearly going to have to cut down on the turnovers.
Just based on the reps, it appears as if Watson is getting most of the starting reps at this point, while Sanders is the backup. Gabriel is third and Green is fourth, though the Browns could cut the former Oregon star this fall if they want to keep Green around for his rookie season.
Monken clearly isn’t going to hold back with his evaluation of any of his quarterbacks, even if some feelings get hurt in the process. For a Browns team that desperately needs a culture change after living near the bottom of the league for a number of years now, maybe that isn’t such a bad thing.
The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation has been front page news in Cleveland for more than a year now, ever since the Browns took both Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel during the 2025 NFL Draft. Both Sanders and Gabriel got reps as rookies, but neither one did enough to cement himself as the franchise quarterback moving forward.
