Browns ‘26 QB competition starts a lot like ‘25’s with an interesting addition

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 23: Shedeur Sanders #12, Tyler Huntley #7 and Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns look on during the first quarter of an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field on August 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images By the start of the Cleveland Browns 2025 training camp, QB Kenny Pickett was injured, which led to the first time “QB1” was identified in last year’s quarterback competition . QB Joe Flacco held that spot for the rest of camp and was the team’s starter until QB Dillon Gabriel took over in Week 5 for the Browns game in London.

At least to start the 2026 offseason on-field process , things have started similarly with QBs Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson , along with Gabriel, splitting snaps. A legitimate QB competition could be good in Cleveland , but new HC Todd Monken noted at the NFL combine that he wanted a starter identified as quickly as possible. In the first on-field work of the year, Watson took all of the quarterback drill snaps first: FWIW, Deshaun Watson lined up first in the very first QB drill.

pic. twitter. com/TsOLlio9cp — Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) April 21, 2026 Then, when team drills started, Sanders led the way: Shedeur Sanders is up first taking first-team reps as the Browns break into team drills pic.

twitter. com/TiQ8lMOjU8 — Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) April 21, 2026 Like last year under HC Kevin Stefanski, Monken noted that the reps were split to favor Sanders on purpose, but that it will likely change day-to-day : Todd Monken explains how he divided QB reps between Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel. Mike Bajakian devised the workload; the plan was to get Shedeur Sanders the most reps today but give all QBs an opportunity.