The Cleveland Browns quarterback competition figures to be one of the most-discussed in the NFL throughout the offseason, given the polarizing nature of the options in the room.
Shedeur Sanders is a divisive name due to limited production, but his family lineage and potential upside make him an intriguing option. Sanders is competing with Deshaun Watson, who was once one of the top quarterbacks in the league but has not been productive in any capacity since Cleveland mortgaged its future and signed him to a fully guaranteed contract.
Add to that the presence of last year’s third-round pick, Dillon Gabriel, and sixth-round rookie Taylen Green, and it’s easy to see why there will be plenty of discussion surrounding the quarterback room in Cleveland.
Browns Analyst Clears Air on Misunderstanding with Shedeur Sanders
Browns analyst Tony Grossi and the second-year quarterback had an exchange on Wednesday that created some friction, but Grossi insists that he didn’t intend for things to come out the way that they did.
Grossi heard about a get-together Watson was hosting with teammates and asked Sanders whether he was going to go or host his own separate thing.
“He felt I was trying to drive a wedge through the quarterback room, and that was not the case,” said Grossi. “I had heard [that] Watson’s having this get-together with teammates sometime in July, and I asked him, ‘Do you intend to go to that, or are you going to host another one?’ And that’s what he took offense to… Maybe I could have worded it better.”
“He felt I was trying to drive a wedge between the QB room and that was not the case,” – @TonyGrossi explains his exchange with Shedeur Sanders yesterday. pic.twitter.com/uNOzFUu7Kk
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 11, 2026
While Grossi insists it was a misunderstanding, it’s easy to see why Sanders took offense to the question. The quarterback is not only an important position on the field but also in the locker room, as the role often demands leadership qualities. The implication that Sanders would hold his own separate get-together could absolutely drive a wedge in the quarterback room, which is why the former Colorado star didn’t take kindly to the question.
Sanders ranked as the No. 40 quarterback in PFSN’s Quarterback Impact Metric (QBi), among 42 qualified players at the position in 2025. In his first year out of Colorado, the young quarterback played in eight games, starting seven, and completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while taking 23 sacks.
While Sanders’ rookie year was rocky, it is not uncommon for rookies to experience growing pains, particularly at the quarterback position, as they adjust to the pro level, leaving room for cautious optimism about a potential jump in year two.
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Meanwhile, Watson will turn 31 in September and missed the entire 2025 season after re-rupturing the same Achilles that ended his 2024 season. Watson has not been what Cleveland hoped they were getting for what they traded for thus far, and it’s fair to wonder whether he can ever return to anything like the player he was in Houston at age 31, coming off two major Achilles injuries.
Watson has led the Browns to a 9-10 record over 19 starts with the team since being acquired, completing 61.2% of his passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while also taking 70 sacks.
Whoever wins the starting quarterback job in 2026 will likely be on a short leash with the other, as well as Gabriel and Green waiting in the wings.
They all figure to have an improved offensive situation in 2026, with Harold Fannin Jr., Quinshon Judkins, and Jerry Jeudy all returning, as well as the additions of both KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, and a new offensive-minded head coach in Todd Monken.
Cleveland owns two first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft and figures to be in the market to take a quarterback, unless one of the players on their roster proves to be a long-term option in 2026. Given the polarizing nature of the players in the quarterback room and the anticipation surrounding the 2027 NFL Draft class, all eyes will be on Cleveland in 2026 as they look towards another year of uncertainty at the most important position.
