As the Cleveland Browns prepare for the 2026 NFL season, uncertainty looms over the quarterback position following their unusual choices in recent drafts. The spotlight remains on rookie Shedeur Sanders, whose status with the team is now in question after Browns star defensive player Myles Garrett appeared hesitant when discussing his future. This doubt clouds the Browns’ plans as they navigate an already complex quarterback situation.
Heading into the 2022 season, the Browns made a significant investment in Deshaun Watson, trading multiple high draft picks—including three first-round selections—and signing him to a fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $230 million. However, Watson’s availability was hampered by legal issues and injuries, causing him to miss most of his time with Cleveland and preventing him from reaching his earlier Houston Texans form.
Despite many expecting Cleveland to use the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft for Sanders, the team surprised fans by trading that pick away. Later rounds saw the selection of quarterback Dillion Gabriel in the third round, while Sanders was taken only in the fifth round. Both players have since seen playing time, but the Browns’ commitment to Sanders appears less certain.
Uncertainty Surrounds Browns’ Commitment to Sanders Following Garrett’s Remarks
ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rossi interpreted Garrett’s comments as reflecting the team’s lukewarm stance on Sanders. Rossi observed,
“I think he reflects the team’s attitude. He didn’t gush about Shedeur, he said, ‘Well, he’s the last one standing,’ and that’s pretty much what it is.”
When questioned about his views on Deshaun Watson, Garrett seemed at a loss for words. Rossi described the moment:
“He was kinda at a loss for words when asked about [Deshaun] Watson. There was a little pregnant pause there.”
This highlights the overall uncertain sentiment within the Browns’ locker room regarding their quarterback situation.
Other commentators echoed this uncertainty, likening Watson’s tenure to a lottery ticket—an uncertain bet with potential but unlikely to pay off consistently. Watson’s decline from his peak years in Houston adds to the challenge Cleveland faces in stabilizing the quarterback position.
Analysis of Sanders’ Performance and Future Implications
According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, Sanders received a disappointing grade of F for the 2025-26 season, posting a score of 56.9. In eight games played, seven as a starter, he completed 120 passes for 1,400 yards, but managed only seven touchdowns against ten interceptions. These numbers suggest struggles consistent with a rookie, fueling further questions about his long-term viability as the Browns’ starting quarterback.
Looking ahead, the Browns hold the sixth overall pick in the upcoming draft. However, the quarterback prospects in this year’s class are considered weak, making it unlikely Cleveland will select a quarterback early. This situation forces the organization to either improve Sanders, invest in existing players like Gabriel, or pursue a veteran signal-caller to lead the offense moving forward.
The Browns’ quarterback quandary carries significant ramifications for the team’s trajectory. With Myles Garrett’s hesitancy emblematic of a broader organizational uncertainty, Cleveland must make decisive moves to secure stability under center before the 2026 season to avoid prolonging a period of frustration and stalled progress.
"I think he reflects the team's attitude, he didn't gush about Shedeur," – @TonyGrossi on Myles Garrett's QB comments 🧐 pic.twitter.com/RebjCjKQCB
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) February 9, 2026
