The Cleveland Browns quarterback room remains one of the most scrutinized units in professional football. As the 2026 offseason progresses toward the draft, the organization finds itself at a unique crossroads, balancing high-priced veteran contracts with young, high-ceiling talent. The transition witnessed over the last two calendar years suggests a strategic shift in how the front office views the most important position on the field, moving away from a single-point-of-failure model toward a more robust, competitive depth chart.

The current landscape heading into the 2026 season

As of April 2026, the hierarchy of Cleveland Browns quarterbacks is defined by a blend of collegiate success and NFL veteran experience. The 2025 season served as a catalyst for this new era. Following a period of significant turnover, the team appears to have stabilized the position, at least in the short term, through aggressive drafting and calculated free-agent moves.

Dillon Gabriel, who took over the starting duties during the 2025 campaign, enters the current offseason as the projected leader of the offense. Gabriel’s rise within the organization was notable; after being selected in the third round of the 2025 draft (94th overall), he quickly demonstrated the efficiency and decision-making that characterized his record-breaking college career at Oregon and Oklahoma. His ability to facilitate Kevin Stefanski’s system, which prioritizes timing and accurate mid-range distribution, allowed the offense to find a rhythm that had been missing in previous iterations.

Behind Gabriel, the internal competition remains fierce. Shedeur Sanders, a fifth-round selection in 2025, continues to develop. While Sanders started the 2025 season lower on the depth chart, the coaching staff has consistently pointed to his arm talent and pocket presence as indicators of future starting potential. The dynamic between Gabriel and Sanders represents a departure from the traditional veteran-backup model, instead fostering a young, competitive environment where the "next man up" is a high-upside prospect rather than a stop-gap veteran.

Reviewing the 2025 transition and the Flacco factor

The road to the current roster configuration was anything but linear. The early stages of 2025 were marked by the veteran presence of Joe Flacco, who returned to the team to provide a steady hand. Flacco’s role in Cleveland has been instrumental, particularly in mentoring the younger signal-callers. However, the decision to bench Flacco in favor of Gabriel after a 1-3 start in 2025 signaled a definitive move toward the future. This decision was not merely about immediate wins and losses but about evaluating whether the drafted rookies could handle the speed of the NFL game.

During his time as the starter in late 2025, Gabriel showcased why the front office prioritized him. His collegiate statistics—ranking second all-time in FBS career passing yards—translated into a professional style that minimized turnovers, a recurring issue for Cleveland in previous seasons. The trade of Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders in late 2025 further cleared the path for this youth movement, ensuring that reps in practice were concentrated on the players seen as the long-term solution.

The Deshaun Watson injury and contract situation

Any discussion regarding Cleveland Browns quarterbacks is incomplete without addressing the status of Deshaun Watson. Currently on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, Watson’s trajectory has been hampered by a series of severe injuries. The most significant setback was the rupture of his right Achilles tendon during the 2024 season, which was followed by a re-rupture during the rehabilitation process.

From a roster management perspective, Watson’s situation presents a complex challenge. His contract remains a significant factor in the team’s salary cap structure, influencing how they navigate free agency and retain other core talent. While he continues his recovery, the team has been forced to operate as if he is not an immediate factor on the field. The focus has shifted toward building a winning environment with the available personnel, while maintaining the flexibility to integrate Watson should his health and performance return to a level that warrants a starting role. This pragmatic approach has allowed the team to remain competitive despite the uncertainty surrounding their highest-paid player.

A historical perspective on the quarterback carousel

The instability at the quarterback position in Cleveland is well-documented, often cited as the primary obstacle to the franchise’s sustained success in the modern era. Since the team resumed operations in 1999, the list of starters has grown to over 40 different names. This "revolving door" has seen everything from high-profile first-round picks to late-season veteran acquisitions.

The Expansion Era and initial struggles (1999–2017)

The search began with Tim Couch, the number one overall pick in 1999. Despite showing flashes of talent and leading the team to a playoff berth in 2002, injuries and a lack of consistent supporting personnel limited his ceiling. Following Couch, the team cycled through a variety of strategies:

  • Veteran bridges: Players like Jeff Garcia, Trent Dilfer, and Jake Delhomme were brought in to provide stability but often struggled with injuries or declining performance.
  • Draft-day gambles: The team used multiple first-round picks on quarterbacks such as Brady Quinn, Brandon Weeden, and Johnny Manziel. Each of these players faced different challenges, ranging from scheme fits to professional adjustments, and none lasted more than a few seasons as the primary starter.
  • Statistical outliers: Occasionally, a player would catch lightning in a bottle. Derek Anderson’s 2007 Pro Bowl season and Brian Hoyer’s competitive stretch in 2014 provided moments of hope, but neither could sustain that level of play over multiple years.

The Mayfield era and the 2023 anomaly

Baker Mayfield, selected first overall in 2018, provided the most consistent period of quarterback play since the team's return. He started every game in 2019 and 2020, leading the team to a playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, injuries and a dip in performance in 2021 led to his eventual departure, reigniting the search for a permanent answer.

The 2023 season stands out as a statistical anomaly in the history of Cleveland Browns quarterbacks. Due to a catastrophic string of injuries, the team utilized five different starters: Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, P.J. Walker, Joe Flacco, and Jeff Driskel. The fact that the team still reached the playoffs that year is a testament to the coaching staff's adaptability and the strength of the roster's other units, but it also highlighted the desperate need for a more reliable depth chart.

Coaching and scheme: The Stefanski system

One of the reasons the Browns have been able to navigate this quarterback volatility is the offensive system implemented by Kevin Stefanski. The scheme is designed to be "quarterback-friendly," utilizing heavy personnel, play-action passing, and a strong emphasis on the run game to create clear throwing lanes.

Under offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, the system evolved in 2024 and 2025 to include more diverse passing concepts. This evolution was necessary to accommodate the different skill sets of the players in the room. For example:

  • With Dillon Gabriel: The offense emphasizes quick rhythm throws and utilizing his mobility to escape pressure and extend plays. Gabriel’s experience in high-tempo college offenses allowed Cleveland to incorporate more RPO (Run-Option) elements.
  • With Shedeur Sanders: When Sanders is in the game, the vertical passing game becomes more prominent. His ability to hit deep outs and contested catches allows the team to challenge defenses in ways that a more conservative passer might not.
  • The Flacco approach: In 2023 and early 2025, the offense reverted to a more traditional pro-style attack, leaning on Flacco’s elite arm strength and ability to read defenses from the pocket.

This tactical flexibility ensures that the team does not have to reinvent itself every time a new quarterback takes the field, a crucial component for a franchise that has historically suffered from mid-season coaching or personnel changes.

The path forward: 2026 and beyond

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Cleveland Browns appear to be in a position of relative strength compared to previous years. They are no longer in a position of desperation, which allows them to be more selective in their roster building. The focus is now on development and contingency planning.

Development of the youth

The primary goal for 2026 is the continued progression of Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. In the NFL, the "Year 2 jump" is often the determining factor for a young quarterback's career trajectory. With a full season of professional film to analyze, the coaching staff will likely focus on Gabriel’s ability to handle complex blitz packages and Sanders’ consistency in his footwork. If both continue to develop, Cleveland could find themselves with a rare problem: an excess of starting-caliber talent.

Managing the veteran presence

The team must also decide how to handle the veteran side of the room. While Joe Flacco has been a valuable asset, the nature of the league often requires difficult decisions regarding roster spots for older players. Similarly, the reintegration of Deshaun Watson—whenever that may be possible—will require a delicate balance of locker room chemistry and performance-based evaluation. The organization has shown a willingness to prioritize the current most effective player over contract size or draft status, a trend that is likely to continue.

Strategic depth

History has taught the Browns that you can never have enough depth at quarterback. Whether through late-round draft picks or undrafted free agents, the team is expected to continue adding arms to the training camp roster. The goal is to avoid a repeat of 2023, where the team was signing starters off the street in December. By maintaining a pipeline of young talent like Dorian Thompson-Robinson (who showed flashes of utility in 2023 and 2024) alongside the newer additions, the Browns are building a safety net that is among the deepest in the AFC North.

Data and performance metrics

To understand why the current confidence in the quarterback room exists, one must look at the efficiency metrics from the latter half of the 2025 season. During the final eight games, the Browns' passing attack ranked in the top 12 in the league in EPA (Expected Points Added) per dropback. This was a significant improvement from the early-season struggles and was driven by Gabriel’s high completion percentage and a reduced sack rate.

The offensive line, which has been a staple of the team’s identity, played a massive role in this stabilization. By providing a consistent pocket, they allowed the young quarterbacks to go through their progressions without the immediate pressure that derailed previous Browns passers like Tim Couch or DeShone Kizer. The synergy between the front five and the quarterback room is perhaps at its highest point in the expansion era.

The legacy of Otto Graham and the quest for greatness

While the modern era has been a struggle, the history of Cleveland Browns quarterbacks includes some of the greatest to ever play the game. Otto Graham, who led the team from 1946 to 1955, remains the gold standard. His record of leading the team to ten consecutive championship games (winning seven) is a feat that may never be repeated. Graham’s legacy serves as a constant reminder of what the position can represent for the city of Cleveland—a beacon of excellence and a catalyst for a winning culture.

Following Graham, players like Frank Ryan (who led the team to the 1964 championship) and Brian Sipe (the 1980 NFL MVP) maintained that high standard. Bernie Kosar’s era in the 1980s brought the team to the brink of the Super Bowl multiple times, creating a deep emotional connection with the fanbase. The current objective for the Browns' front office is not just to find a competent starter, but to find a player who can eventually be mentioned in the same breath as these franchise icons.

Conclusion

The state of Cleveland Browns quarterbacks in 2026 is a reflection of a franchise that has finally embraced a long-term, multi-layered strategy. By moving away from the "quick fix" mentality and investing in young talent while maintaining veteran support, the team has created a stable environment for growth. Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders represent a new hope, while the lessons learned from the Deshaun Watson contract and the 2023 injury crisis have made the organization more resilient. As the draft nears, the conversation in Cleveland has shifted from "Who will start?" to "How far can this group take us?"—a subtle but profound change that indicates the era of the quarterback carousel may finally be reaching its conclusion.