The Cleveland Browns are heading into the 2026 season without a clear answer at quarterback. There is no veteran addition coming to change the outlook. “One Cleveland radio” host is already pleading for Shedeur Sanders to become the Browns’ plan at quarterback.
Browns’ 2026 QB Future Hinges Solely on Shedeur Sanders
Speaking on Cleveland’s “92.3 The Fan,” radio host Earl Mauldin laid out the situation in a way that made sense.
“There is no outside factor that’s coming to save the Cleveland Browns this season at the QB position,” Mauldin said. “What you better hope for is that our new head coach gets the most out of Shedeur Sanders… this is the reality of the situation.”
That assessment reflects how the Browns have approached the offseason. The team hired Todd Monken as head coach and has not made a major move to bring in a new starting quarterback. The Browns are betting on internal development for 2026.
Sanders enters his second season with a real chance to take control of the job. He finished last year as the team’s starter and now sits at the center of the organization’s plans moving forward, though veteran Deshaun Watson still looms.
The Browns’ direction has been shaped by inconsistent quarterback play. The team rotated through multiple starters last season and struggled to generate steady offense. That instability led to a coaching change and a reset built around younger players.
Sanders’ rookie season reflected those challenges. In eight games, he completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also added 169 rushing yards and a touchdown. According to PFSN’s Quarterback Impact Metric, he ranked 46th among quarterbacks with a 51.0 score.
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The environment around him did not help. The Browns’ offensive line graded at 49.9 in PFSN’s Offensive Line Impact Metric, placing it among the lower-performing units in the league. Protection issues forced quarterbacks into difficult situations throughout the season.
The Browns attacked the offensive line this offseason with multiple moves aimed at stabilizing the unit. The Browns traded for tackle Tytus Howard, then added guard Zion Johnson on a three-year, $49.5 million deal and signed Elgton Jenkins to a two-year contract to help anchor the interior.
Johnson brings strong interior run blocking, while Jenkins offers versatility with experience at guard and center. The team also brought back Teven Jenkins, who finished last year as a starter at right guard and could hold that role heading into 2026.
Mauldin’s comments reflect where things stand. The Browns are not waiting for help to arrive. The only path forward runs through the quarterback already in the building.
