As the Cleveland Browns sort through a four-man quarterback competition, speculation continues to swirl around the team’s long-term plans at the position. While rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are battling for relevance behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, team insider Tony Grossi believes the front office has already set its sights on a future move that could redefine the franchise.
Browns Insider Tony Grossi Sees Franchise QB Move in 2026 Draft
Grossi, a longtime Browns analyst with ESPN Cleveland, is not sold on the idea that the Browns’ quarterback situation will be resolved this season. Responding to a fan who asked whether it might be beneficial for Sanders to start in order to push for a higher 2026 draft pick, Grossi replied, “The 2026 draft will have multiple QBs graded much higher than Gabriel and Sanders. With two first-round picks at their disposal, the Browns will have the means to select one of them.”
This firm stance underscores Grossi’s view that, despite the offseason additions of Gabriel and Sanders, the Browns are unlikely to pass up the quarterback-rich 2026 draft class. “I just can’t see the Browns allowing the 2026 QB draft pass them by no matter what Gabriel and Sanders are able to accomplish this season,” he added. However, Grossi acknowledged that both quarterbacks could still return next year in some capacity, saying, “It doesn’t mean Gabriel and Sanders will be discarded. They’ll be back no matter what.”
Does @TonyGrossi agree that the Browns QB competition is wide open? No… pic.twitter.com/nOarEGkMaq
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 13, 2025
This outlook reflects a broader reality: despite glowing reports from camp, the quarterback room remains unsettled. While Sanders has shown recent progress, Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot noted he’s “come on strong over the past two weeks,” and he remains firmly listed as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart. Cabot added that, “Granted, he’s still the fourth-team quarterback and has a long way to go.”
Grossi also cast doubt on the legitimacy of the so-called open competition. “I tend to not think that it’s as wide open as they say. They want to portray that it is wide open to keep the rookies competing as hard as they can,” he said, suggesting the team is managing perceptions more than truly giving equal opportunity.
With an eight-game gauntlet to start the season and uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson’s health, it’s possible all four quarterbacks could see action. That would serve a practical purpose, giving the front office evidence to justify or reject drafting another signal-caller high in 2026.
Ultimately, Sanders and Gabriel may impress enough to carve out roles, but in Grossi’s eyes, neither has shown enough to halt the franchise’s pursuit of a potential long-term answer under center next April.