Let’s be real: being a fan of this team usually feels like you’re participating in a never-ending science experiment that nobody actually funded. As we roll into early 2026, the browns quarterbacks depth chart is once again the most debated, frustrating, and genuinely confusing topic in Northeast Ohio. After a 5-12 season that saw Kevin Stefanski lose his job and the offense finish near the bottom of the league, the front office is basically standing in the middle of a burning room trying to decide which fire extinguisher to use first.
Right now, the room is a mix of high-priced baggage, mid-round rookies with "flashes," and a general manager in Andrew Berry who is being very careful with his words. You’ve got a massive $80 million cap hit sitting on one shoulder and a fifth-round kid who might—just might—be the guy on the other. It's a mess. Honestly, it's the most Cleveland situation imaginable.
The Current State of the Browns Quarterbacks Depth Chart
If you looked at the roster today, January 18, 2026, the pecking order is technically "fluid," which is GM-speak for "we don't have a Week 1 starter yet." But if a game were played tomorrow, the names you'd see on the board look like this:
- Shedeur Sanders (The Incumbent/Project)
- Dillon Gabriel (The Rookie Backup)
- Deshaun Watson (The Cap-Clogging Question Mark)
It’s wild to think that Shedeur Sanders, a guy who slid all the way to the fifth round (144th overall) in the 2025 draft, is currently the most viable option. He started the final seven games of the '25 season. He went 3-4, which isn't exactly Hall of Fame stuff, but considering the wreckage he inherited, those three wins felt like Super Bowls to some fans. He threw for 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and—this is the part that keeps scouts awake at night—10 interceptions.
The kid has poise. You can't deny that. He’s got that "Prime" confidence, and he’s shown he can extend plays with his feet. But the turnovers? They’re a problem. Andrew Berry recently called him a "work in progress," which is about as non-committal as you can get without actually saying "we're still looking."
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The Dillon Gabriel Factor
Then there's Dillon Gabriel. The Browns actually took him before Sanders in the 2025 draft (94th overall). At the time, everyone thought Gabriel would be the primary backup to Joe Flacco (who, by the way, is now in Cincinnati because of course he is). Gabriel got his shot when Flacco was traded and started six games.
It didn't go great.
He went 1-5, completed under 60% of his passes, and honestly just looked a bit overwhelmed by the speed of the NFL game. He’s technically second on the browns quarterbacks depth chart right now, but most insiders think he’s trending toward a career backup role rather than a franchise savior.
The $230 Million Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about Deshaun Watson. There is no escaping the math.
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Watson didn’t play a single snap in 2025. He spent the entire year rehabbing that right Achilles—a tendon he’s now torn twice. He’s 30 years old, he hasn’t looked like an elite quarterback since 2020, and he carries a cap hit of roughly $80.7 million for the 2026 season.
Cutting him isn't a real option because the dead money would basically delete the rest of the roster. So, he stays. Mary Kay Cabot has been reporting that Watson might actually compete for the starting job again this summer. Can you imagine? After two years of injuries and sub-par play, the Browns might be forced to give him "one last chance" simply because they can't afford to do anything else.
Berry says the team is "pleased" with his rehab. They liked how he engaged in the meeting rooms while Shedeur was playing. But "pleased in a meeting room" and "winning on Sunday" are two very different things. If the Browns hire a big-name coach like John Harbaugh—who is currently the white whale of the coaching cycle—that coach is going to want his own guy. Whether that guy is on the roster or coming in the 2026 draft remains the biggest mystery in Berea.
Why the 2026 Draft Changes Everything
The Browns hold the No. 6 overall pick this April. They also have an extra first-rounder from the Jacksonville Jaguars. That is a lot of ammunition.
Usually, a team with two first-round picks and a massive hole at QB would just go get their guy. But the 2026 class is... well, it's tricky. Oregon’s Dante Moore just announced he’s staying in school for another year. That move sent shockwaves through the league. Suddenly, the "elite" tier of QBs is looking very thin.
Potential Moves on the Horizon
- The Draft-and-Sit Route: Cleveland could use pick No. 6 on someone like Alabama’s Ty Simpson or Miami’s Carson Beck. The plan would be to let Watson or Sanders start the first half of the season while the rookie learns.
- The Trade Market: Names like Aidan O'Connell have been floated as bridge options, though that feels like a lateral move at best.
- The "Shedeur by Default" Plan: This is the most likely scenario. If the new coach likes Sanders' upside, the Browns might use their first-round picks on an offensive tackle (like Spencer Fano) and a defensive stud, essentially saying, "Shedeur, the job is yours to lose."
Honestly, the browns quarterbacks depth chart is a house of cards. If Sanders struggles in camp, or if Watson's Achilles doesn't hold up in August, they are right back to square one.
Understanding the Stakes for Andrew Berry
Berry is in a tough spot. He’s the guy who orchestrated the Watson trade, and he’s the guy who drafted two QBs in the same mid-rounds last year. If 2026 is another 5-win season because the quarterback play is bottom-tier, he likely follows Stefanski out the door.
The offense ranked 31st in scoring last year. That is inexcusable when you have Myles Garrett in his prime and Jerry Jeudy on the outside. The next head coach isn't just coming in to fix a culture; they're coming in to solve a math problem. How do you get production out of a position where you're either starting a $230 million question mark or a 5th-round project?
What Fans Should Actually Expect
Don't expect a clear answer in January. The "official" browns quarterbacks depth chart won't mean anything until the third week of the preseason.
If you're looking for signs of life, watch the coaching search. If they hire an offensive-minded guy like Mike McDaniel (if he becomes available) or a college innovator, it points toward Shedeur Sanders getting the nod. If they go with a hard-nosed veteran like Harbaugh, don't be surprised if they trade for a veteran "game manager" to stabilize the room while they wait for the 2027 draft class.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
- Watch the Practice Window: If Watson is taking first-team reps in May during OTAs, the "bridge" plan is officially in motion.
- Follow the Money: The Browns are currently over the cap. They have to restructure someone. If they don't touch Watson's deal, it means they are prepared for him to be a very expensive backup or a high-stakes starter.
- Draft Day Strategy: If the Browns pass on a QB at No. 6, they are effectively tethering their future to Shedeur Sanders for at least the next 12 months.
The reality is that the Browns are stuck between a rock and an $80 million hard place. Whether it's Sanders, Watson, or a rookie yet to be named, the 2026 season will be defined by whether they can finally stop the revolving door at the most important position in sports.