Fresh twist in Cleveland Browns QB battle as written-off star emerges as Shedeur Sanders rival

There has been a development in the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback battle.

New Browns head coach Todd Monken is yet to have given any indication about who is winning the battle to be named Cleveland’s Week 1 starter.

Getty

The battle is thought to be between Shedeur Sanders and veteran Deshaun Watson, who are both aiming to get the chance to start the season-opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

However, it appears as though a surprise name has entered the fold.

“I said it the other day, everybody’s competing, but you’re not guaranteed the same amount of reps,” Monken told reporters via NBC Sports.

“So it’s up to the player to take advantage and maximize those reps, which I feel like Dillon [Gabriel] has done.

“So we’ll see as we move forward, if that continues, we’ll continue to up his reps. He’s earned that.

“That’s what every player should expect, right? If they play well, you have to up the reps, or what’s the purpose of playing well?”

Gabriel, drafted two rounds ahead of Shedeur in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been viewed as an afterthought this offseason.

After trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, newly acquired defensive end Jared Verse turned up to Browns practice wearing the same number as Gabriel, indicating how far down the pecking order the signal caller is.

Gabriel started six games (10 total appearances) for the Browns in 2025, throwing for 937 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

However, he would suffer a concussion in the Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, opening the door for rookie rival Shedeur to hold the fort for the remainder of the season.

Getty

Getty

Concerns over Shedeur’s agility at training camp

Shedeur would go on and throw for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns, leading Cleveland to four of their five season wins.

While Sanders has looked the more impressive hurler between him and Watson in training camp, Browns reporter Justin Cooper offered a brutal assessment of one area in which he believes Sanders has regressed.

“Does Shedeur look better getting rid of the football? That was his big issue,” ESPN Cleveland radio host Tony Rizzo asked.

“No. He looks worse,” Cooper immediately replied.

“Of course, Shedeur looks like that,” Rizzo added.

“He’s learning a new offense — the third offense in three years. It’s not easy for a guy who doesn’t process quickly at the moment.

Getty

“Of course, Watson looks like crap. He hasn’t played. The guy himself said, ‘I just need to play football’.

“And, oh, by the way, splitting the reps isn’t helping him get back in the groove either. The splitting of the reps right now is a problem.”

With Gabriel unexpectedly crashing the conversation, what was once viewed as a straight two-horse race between Watson and Sanders has now developed into a three-way headache for Cleveland’s staff.