Shedeur Sanders’ major area to improve outlined as Browns GM breaks silence on 2026 QB battle

Feb 25, 2026 - 11:30

The Cleveland Browns quarterback room will be crowded once again this summer.

Last year, a four-way battle for the starting spot dominated the headlines.

Browns QBs Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel warm up prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field — Sanders and Gabriel will likely be pulled into another QB battle this summer

Veteran Joe Flacco eventually won out against rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, while Kenny Pickett was named backup ahead of the 2025 season.

Flacco and Pickett, though, soon departed the Browns for pastures new.

That led to Gabriel taking the starting role by Week 5, but a concussion opened the door for Sanders to come in six weeks later, and finish the year.

The dust has now settled on a poor 5-12 season, which saw head coach Kevin Stefanski fired.

Cleveland is set to enter a new era with Todd Monken taking on the HC role, and he didn’t comment on who he wants as his starting QB during an introductory news conference last month.

General Manager Andrew Berry, though, has revealed Sanders is in the running for that spot — but he will have some tough competition.

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Deshaun Watson, who sat out last season as he recovered from a re-rupture to his right Achilles tendon, is back in the picture.

The $230 million signal caller has been ‘working really hard’ to win back the role.

“I think any player on our roster we would want to compete. We believe in competition at every spot,” Berry said, speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“That’s no different than quarterback. Deshaun’s been working really hard. He’s been working his tail off.

Injured Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 — Watson was injured for the 2025 season, but has been working to win back his role

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders walks off the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals — Browns GM Berry also expects Sanders to battle for the starting position

“Like I said, we’re excited to go into April with all of our players across the roster because competition is something that we really believe in.”

Berry, though, insisted it’s still too early to make a decision on the 2026 starter, and hinted that more quarterbacks could arrive.

The GM said: “We don’t have to make that decision anytime soon.”

Andrew Berry outlines offseason goal for Shedeur Sanders

When asked if the Browns could add a veteran starter to their roster, Berry said that idea is still to be determined, but revealed what kind of improvement he wants from Sanders in the coming weeks and months — if he wants to lock the starting role down.

“The biggest thing that we want to see from Shedeur is just continued growth,” he explained.

“I think he grew a lot from start one to start seven. I think certainly playing more efficiently, not putting the ball in harm’s way as much would be important while maintaining the ability to produce out of structure and generate explosive plays.

Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts after a touchdown during the 1st half of an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Carolina Panthers — Sanders has been handed a number of offseason goals by Berry

“You’re not going to see all of that in the upcoming months because we’re not on the field.

“So the biggest thing that he can do is learn the new offense, get in with the coaching staff once our offseason program starts, continue to work on his body physically and then make strides when we actually get on the grass.”

Browns could turn to draft for new QB competition

Despite taking two rookie signal callers in last year’s draft, the Browns could again turn to college in an attempt to find the future of their franchise.

With his Combine comments, Berry is offering an open challenge of sorts.

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According to Cleveland insider Mary Kay Cabot, the front office has been keeping an eye on Alabama draft prospect Ty Simpson.

“The Browns will consider him at No. 6, or even at No. 24 or No. 39 if he lasts that long,” Cabot revealed.

Simpson, who threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns as starter for the Crimson Tide last season, is also said to be on the radar of the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Browns, of course, pick before both those teams.

Alabama QB Ty Simpson before the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl — The Browns are said to be keeping tabs on Alabama QB Simpson

If Cleveland does decide to take Simpson at No. 6, or bring in a veteran to challenge for the starting spot, then Sanders, Watson and Gabriel will find themselves in a very crowded QB room.

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