Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) was the first QB up in both team and individual drills on Wednesday during the team's second OTA practice, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Shedeur Sanders was second in individual drills, followed by Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green. In team drills, Gabriel was second behind Watson with the first-team offense, while Sanders mostly worked with the second team. The 30-year-old Watson looks to be fully recovered from a twice-torn Achilles tendon that kept him out for all of the 2025 campaign. He will be competing primarily with Sanders for the starting gig under center in 2026, although offseason reports have suggested that Watson is in the unofficial lead, primarily because he's made 72 starts in the NFL and is a three-time Pro Bowler. A report surfaced earlier this week that Watson and new head coach Todd Monken have hit it off, which insinuates that the Browns are leaning toward naming Watson as their starter eventually. Although Watson looked like a future star with the Houston Texans earlier in his career, he's been a massive bust in Cleveland and won't be much more than a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues if he wins the starting QB job over Sanders
The Cleveland Browns appeared to have finally turned the corner on quarterback Deshaun Watson in 2025. The veteran who cost the Browns three No. 1 draft picks, $230 million in guaranteed money, and untold fan goodwill, spent the majority of the season sidelined while recovering from a twice-torn Achilles tendon. Outside of a few practices in the final weeks of the season, it was out of sight, out of mind. Once the calendar turned to 2026, all the Browns had to do was finish out the final year of the contract on a player that owner Jimmy Haslam described as a “big swing-and-miss” by keeping Watson on the sidelines, and then everyone could part company. Only it is starting to seem like what was once unthinkable may become a reality as the Browns may find themselves in a position where Watson takes the field in Week 1 as the starting quarterback. That is due in part to new head coach Todd Monken, who is willing to try anything to jumpstart the quarterback position, and the lack of other viable options on the roster, as Daniel Oyefusi and Jeremy Fowler highlighted in an ESPN article : Dillon Gabriel , who helped the Browns to one win in six starts as a rookie, posted a QBR that would have ranked last in the league among qualified players. Shedeur Sanders , who helped the Browns to three wins – no one will ever forget the epic six-point offensive explosion in the season finale – and posted a QBR that would have ranked him last in the league among qualified players. Taylen Green , a rookie sixth-round selection, needs plenty of time to get up to speed. When you look at the options, it is understandable why Monken would prefer a 30-year-old quarterback who has suffered two major injuries and, in the 19 games he has actually played, posted a total QBR that would rank him last among qualified passers. The good news, if there is such a thing in this situation, is that Monken is keeping an open mind and has a track record of bringing out the best in a variety of quarterbacks, as Albert Breer pointed out in his latest column at Sports Illustrated : Monken’s bio can tell you that. He worked with David Garrard in Jacksonville , Brandon Weeden at Oklahoma State, Nick Mullens at Southern Miss, Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick in Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield the first time around in Cleveland, Stetson Bennett IV at Georgia, and Lamar Jackson in Baltimore . That is a wide swath of QBs. He can build an offense for whoever wins that job. And, yes, I think the Browns would like to get one last long look at the quarterback they’re spending $230 million on and forked over three first-round picks for, now that Watson is back and healthy. Similarly, it’d make sense to have a full and thorough idea of who Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and even Taylen Green are ahead of what could be a franchise-shifting offseason in 2027, with the team potentially lining up another big swing to get the quarterback position right once and for all next April. The good news is I think Monken can get all of that done—and do it in a fair way, that’ll give each of the guys a fair shot, which should also send a good message to the rest of the team. The Browns took a shot at Watson in 2022 because they had grown tired of Baker Mayfield and were desperate to do something. But because the Browns are one of several NFL teams that continually miss on quarterbacks, they face the very real possibility that they will need to ride with Watson one last time in 2026, as he might be the best choice in a group where everyone is a bad option. There is still a long way to go between now and the season opener in Jacksonville, so anything is still possible. But seeing Watson in the huddle on Cleveland’s first offensive series of the season may be the most “Browns is the Browns” moment in recent memory
The 2026 NFL regular-season schedule was released last week, and the Browns will open on Sept. 13 in Jacksonville as early 7.5-point underdogs – the second-biggest Week 1 spread. Which quarterback will be under center for Cleveland among a potential four-man competition between Deshaun Watson , Shedeur Sanders , Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green ? FanDuel offers odds. Fans who want to wager on NFL futures and tail Matt Severance's picks need to see the latest FanDuel promo code . I can't think of another recent quarterback battle that is so truly fascinating yet utterly uninteresting as those four guys going at it. Clearly, it's going to be another long NFL season in Cleveland, this time under first-year head coach Todd Monken – the former offensive coordinator of the AFC North-rival Baltimore Ravens . The Browns have lost at least 12 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2015-17 and have a projected win total of 6.5 this season, with the Under at -125. For the league's fewest wins and the chance to pick first atop the 2027 NFL Draft , which is generally considered loaded with franchise QBs, the Browns are +1300. They shouldn't be that bad with such a good defense led by Myles Garrett . Monken is the team's 11th head coach since 1999, second-most in the league over that span behind the Raiders ' 13. On Sept. 13, the 60-year-old Monken will become only the eighth non-interim head coach in NFL history to coach his first career game at 60-plus years old. It didn't go all that great for all the others career-wise. The last was David Culley in 2021 with Houston, and he lasted just one 4-13 campaign. Frankly, most believe whichever QB starts Week 1 and/or is the primary in 2026 is simply holding the seat warm for whichever signal-caller the Browns draft high in 2027 like an Arch Manning out of Texas or Dante Moore from Oregon. If you plan to bet on NFL futures, check out the latest DraftKings promo code for the best offer. The rookie Green, a sixth-round dual-threat out of Oregon, is the +8000 longshot to start vs. the Jags, and if he does then Green is the next Lamar Jackson or something went badly wrong for Cleveland. The 6-foot-6 Green (+15000 for Offensive Rookie of the Year) is an athlete, that's for sure. At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, he weighed 227 pounds and ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, a combine record for quarterbacks. Simply making the roster would be a win. The southpaw Gabriel (+5500 to start Week 1) was Cleveland's first QB chosen in the 2025 draft at No. 94 overall in Round 3. Gabriel got into 10 games overall and six as a starter, going 1-5, and completed 59.5% of his throws for 937 yards, seven TDs and two picks. Gabriel's 31.4 QBR ranked 37th out of 38 NFL quarterbacks who started at least six games in 2025. Who ranked 38th? Sanders, whose QBR of 18.9 was the fifth-lowest of all quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts in the QBR era (since 2006), per ESPN. Sanders (+136) was the surprise the 144th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft and opened the year as the No. 4 QB on the depth chart but started the final seven games for Cleveland, going 3-4 and winning the final two. Sanders, who threw an NFL-high 10 picks since his Week 11 debut, wore No. 12 as a rookie but has switched back to the No. 2 that he wore in college. That number was taken in 2025 by Browns wideout DeAndre Carter . I think we all know enough about Watson (-174) by now, and if he wasn't on the worst contract in NFL history in terms of fully guaranteed money, then Watson would have been released a long time ago. But owner Jimmy Haslam, who has admitted the sunk cost on that horrendous trade from a few years ago with Houston, has said that Watson has a "great chance" and a "fresh start" with Monken. Watson, who hasn't played a game since Oct. 20, 2024, participated in the Browns' offseason workouts and has no limitations following his Achilles' tear. Per the Browns beat writers, Watson emerged from minicam
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Eli Manning was almost traded to the Cleveland Browns, Giants QB talks draft decision (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns tried to acquire QB Eli Manning during the 2004 NFL Draft. Why he wanted the Giants, Steelers instead. Browns schedule prediction: Winning record at bye week (Barry Shuck) – The Cleveland Browns last place schedule could give them a chance for early wins. This prediction is very positive All starting, backup QBs on Browns schedule in 2026 (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns schedule in 2026 has an interesting set of quarterbacks that they will be facing. Updated offensive line rankings give Browns a brutal reality check (DPD) – The Cleveland Browns invested most of their resources in free agency into one thing: the offensive line. With five starters set to hit free agency, general manager Andrew Berry kicked off an overhaul by trading for tackle Tytus Howard and signing guards Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson . Insider Issues A Stark Warning About Browns’ 2026 Season (Browns Nation) – The Cleveland Browns were already facing a daunting early-season challenge on offense as they have a new head coach, a first-time coordinator, and potentially as many as nine new starters. It is going to take the unit at least a little while to jell while facing a steep learning curve. Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Gets Rough News on Future (heavy.com) – The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation is shaping up to be bad news for Dillon Gabriel. Browns’ rookie Denzel Boston reveals his crazy offseason process (Browns Wire) – New Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston has a couple of superpowers in his game. Some of them are natural, such as his height and his size; others are developed, such as his incredible hands. Aaron Rodgers re-signs: How he fits the Steelers’ offense (ESPN) – In one of the most anticipated transactions of the 2026 NFL offseason, the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers have agreed to a one-year deal that will return the veteran quarterback as Pittsburgh ’s starting passer for the upcoming season. The deal pays Rodgers somewhere between $22 million and $23 million in base salary, with incentives up to $25 million — a significant pay bump from his one-year, $13.65 million deal last year. Will Aaron Rodgers be a bridge to the Steelers’ future or a roadblock? (The Athletic) – When future Hall of Fame signal caller Aaron Rodgers and the QB-desperate Pittsburgh Steelers came together last offseason, everyone involved anticipated it would be a one-and-done season that would push both sides closer to their next chapters. ESPN predicts Bengals will make AFC Championship (Cincy Jungle) – A bold claim, but one we all love. (Editor’s note: Not sure about the whole “we all love” this part.)
With the NFL schedule release each year, one of the biggest questions is how many prime-time games the Cleveland Browns will receive . Historically, when the team is coming off a bad season, most of its games have been scheduled in the 1:00 p.m. EST time slot. This season is no different; the Browns have one primetime game on Thursday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week four. The atmosphere in the stadium is more exciting for primetime games. Knowing that all eyes are on one game creates a special environment. There is a different level of intensity to these games, and it shows in the energy from both the players and the fans. On a week-to-week basis, it is much preferred to have 1:00 PM games. For a team that is struggling to find its identity, it is better not to have all eyes on its games. Cleveland will most likely be giving reps to a young quarterback this season, whether it is Shedeur Sanders , Dillon Gabriel , or Taylen Green , or Deshaun Watson , who will be trying to resurrect his career. There is significantly less pressure for a young quarterback to make mistakes and feel the speed of the game in a 1:00 PM game than in a primetime game. With a schedule heavily centered around afternoon games this season, the Browns could benefit both offensively and as a team overall. For fans who watch from home, dedicating evenings to a rebuilding team may not be the best use of their time. Having a consistent schedule at 1 PM allows for planning and stability. Let me know what you think in the comments – Do you prefer primetime or afternoon games for the Browns? What about for your viewing pleasure?
SeatGeek is the official NFL Ticketing Partner of the New York Post. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change. The Cleveland Browns have firmer plans than they did a year ago. Well, slightly. After a season dominated by headlines about who would start at quarterback, new Head Coach Todd Monken has yet to name DeShaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders (or dark horse Dillon Gabriel ) as his first stringer. “I’m not ready to say that yet,” Monken said when asked if Sanders, who finished 2025 with a 3-4 record in games he started, had the edge. Regardless of that pesky roster decision, Cleveland does have one thing working in their favor: They’ve been blessed with the NFL’s easiest schedule in 2026. Yahoo! Sports reports that out of all 32 teams, their strength of schedule is the weakest, with their opponents tallying a collective .429 winning percentage in ’25. Not all of their opponents are slouches, though. Just a few of the biggest home games going down at Cleveland’s Huntington Bank Field include showdowns with competitive teams like Bryce Young ’s Carolina Panthers (Sept. 27), T.J. Watt ’s Pittsburgh Steelers (Oct. 1), Lamar Jackson ’s Baltimore Ravens (Oct. 18), C.J. Stroud ’s Houston Texans (Nov. 15) and Daniel Jones ’ Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, which is the last home game of the season. Throw in the fact that the franchise signed Zion Johnson , Elgton Jenkins , Kalia Davis , Quincy Williams and Jack Stoll and had an exceptional draft, scooping up offensive tackle Spencer Fano and wideouts KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and there’s downright reason for optimism in Cleveland. All that’s missing now is you. If you’re hoping to make it out to the Dawg Pound to see the new guys along with fan favorites Myles Garrett , Denzel Ward , Quinshon Judkins , Carson Schwesinger , and either Watson, Sanders, or Gabriel, tickets are available for all eight Cleveland Browns 2026 home games at Huntington Bank Field on SeatGeek. SeatGeek is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand. Not familiar with SeatGeek? They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event. For those that prefer to pick and choose which home games make the most sense to attend, we’re here for you too. Below, you’ll find a list of all upcoming Cleveland Browns home games at Huntington Bank Field, including dates, start times and opponents. Cleveland Browns home game dates Panthers vs. Browns Sunday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. Steelers vs. Browns Thursday, Oct. 1, at 8:15 p.m. Ravens vs. Browns Sunday, Oct. 18, at 1 p.m. Texans vs. Browns Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. Raiders vs. Browns Sunday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. Bengals vs. Browns Sunday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m. Falcons vs. Browns Sunday, Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. Colts vs. Browns Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, at 1 p.m. If you think you might find yourself traveling with the Browns this year, here’s where you can find them on the road once the 2026 season begins. Cleveland Browns away game dates Browns vs. Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 13 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Browns vs. Buccaneers Sunday, Sept. 20 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL Browns vs. Jets Sunday, Oct. 11 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ Browns vs. Titans Sunday, Oct. 25 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN Browns vs. Steelers Sunday, Nov. 1 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA Browns vs. Saints Sunday, Nov. 8 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA Browns vs. Giants Sunday, Dec. 20 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ Browns vs. Ravens Sunday, Dec. 27 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD Browns vs. Bengals Date TBD at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH There is no shortage of ways to watch Browns games live from the comfort of your own home this season. You [... truncated ...]
With an improved roster , a difficult road start to the season , a new head coach , and five new starters on the offensive line, the Cleveland Browns 2026 season has a lot of variables. The Browns schedule reveal showed a few games that are now harder because of how things are laid out and a few that could be easier . Cleveland is a huge underdog in Week 1, with one of the lowest betting odds for the Super Bowl as well . As is always true with NFL teams, the focus around the Browns will be on the quarterback position. Deshaun Watson might have the edge , but few believe he has a future in Cleveland. Shedeur Sanders has a chance to establish himself in the league after a rough rookie season, which followed a surprising drop in the 2025 NFL draft. For the Browns, 2026 is about winning games, finding out if they have their QB of the Future, and/or having the best shot at a franchise-level quarterback in the 2027 NFL draft. If the first two are true, Cleveland could add the best talent in college, WR Jeremiah Smith , and be ready to contend in 2027. If not, NFL draft positioning and who else is looking for a quarterback will be key. In both regards, Browns fans should be rooting for the following young quarterbacks, maybe in this order, to have great seasons: Shedeur Sanders – If Sanders can be a really good starter, Cleveland’s ceiling is very high starting in 2027. Sanders being good is THE best thing for the team moving forward. Whether he is or isn’t, the rest of the quarterbacks on this list being good could still help them out. Taylen Green – As a rookie, if Green can show that he can be an explosive playmaker, he gives the Browns an exciting backup and future trade chip, if not a starter. Dillon Gabriel – Gabriel was regarded at a higher level than Sanders coming out, not just by Kevin Stefanski, so a rebound year could up his trade value or solidify him as the team’s backup for the future, even if that rebound comes in preseason and spot duty. Carson Beck – Now we get to other teams, Beck’s Arizona Cardinals spent a 3rd round pick on him, and have a brutal schedule, but if he shows enough as a rookie, it could keep the Cardinals out of the quarterback market next year. If the Browns need to draft one, Arizona will likely be fighting for the worst record in the NFL, even if Beck looks solid. Drew Allar/Will Howard – From a narrative perspective, it won’t be great if the Medina native, Allar , looks good as a rookie. Frankly, a former Ohio State QB would also upset the masses as well. Aaron Rodgers is likely to return for one more season, but if he doesn’t or gets hurt, the Steelers roster is good enough to win some games with adequate quarterback play, keeping them from being near the top of the draft order next year. Cade Klubnik – Even if the Jets win some games with Geno Smith , they have the draft assets to likely move above the Browns (barring Cleveland picking first). Could the 4th round pick out of Clemson show enough, if he takes over late in the season, to keep New York from investing in a quarterback high? Given their draft stockpile, the Jets don’t have to be bad to still be able to draft a top quarterback, so Klubnik is the best way to keep them out of the Browns way. Malik Willis – Of all the quarterbacks on this list, Willis has the most experience. The Miami Dolphins signed Willis in free agency, but then traded WR Jaylen Waddle . If Willis helps win the Dolphins enough games, his contract is reasonable enough for them to hang their hopes on him, especially if they can add Smith to their receiver room. JJ McCarthy – A unique one at the bottom of the list, McCarthy may not start despite being a first-round pick just a couple of years ago. However, Kyler Murray is only signed for one season, and nothing is guaranteed with the Minnesota Vikings . Rooting for McCarthy to turn it around instead of the Vikings bottoming out would be in Cleveland’s interest. Are there any other young QBs that Browns fans
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Deion Sanders is planning to meet with Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken about quarterback Shedeur Sanders ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The elder Sanders insists that the meeting – which has been temporarily postponed due to a commercial shoot – will be in his capacity as the younger Sanders' high school and college coach, not as his father. "I want to meet [Monken] because I think it's vital that as a coach – not the dad – I can tell him a few things about [Shedeur], how to get him going," Sanders explained in an episode of "The Barbershop" that was released May 14 . "That wasn't asked of me a year ago." PROFESSOR PRIME: Deion Sanders returns to Colorado class — and with blunt advice Sanders went on to explain he didn't understand why he hadn't previously been consulted about his son, or other players from his Colorado program. "Even a guy like Travis Hunter being drafted to Jacksonville and I've had him for the last three [years], don't you think you would want to talk to me to ask me what gets him going and what backs him off?" Sanders said. "You would want to know that." That's why Sanders "can't wait to have that conversation" with Monken, who earned praise from the Hall of Fame cornerback ahead of his first season coaching the Browns. "I love it, man, because he's a straight shooter," Sanders said of Monken. "He keeps it a buck." Sanders' planned conversation with Monken comes with his son engaged in one of the league's most wide-open quarterback battles. Cleveland is expected to allow Deshaun Watson , Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylen Green battle for playing time during the 2026 NFL season. The elder Sanders is confident the competition will bring out the best in his son, who posted a 3-4 record and completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in seven starts as a rookie. OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs) RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions) WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears) OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs) RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions) WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears) The Colorado coach also lamented the way the younger Sanders was treated in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft and during his rookie season, opining his son "went through hell" in the pre-draft process. "When he takes off his shirt, I see the scars on his back. That he's been through hell, but he's made it through hell," Sanders said. "A lot of people stop in the middle when they're walking through it. He kept going." "He matured, not like he was a child, but matured spiritually while understanding you can't force this. If it ain't your time, it ain't your time. Just sit back, prepare yourself and get ready." Specifically, the elder Sanders was bothered by the way his son was characterized ahead of the draft and during his rookie season, opining various reports and rumors about the 24-year-old quarterback were inaccurate. "He's always been a leader. It was some ignorant things came out about him pre-draft and all that, and that was a lie," Sanders said. "Like, he would never go into a meeting with headphones on. He would never go into a meeting unprepared. Like, that's just not who he is. There's no way he could accomplish the things he accomplished without being prepared." Shedeur Sanders – who was widely expected to be the among the first quarterbacks selected in the 2025 NFL Draft – ended up tumbling all the way to the fifth round . 2025 NFL DRAFT: Experts explain Shedeur Sanders' draft fall That l
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How did Deion Sanders view the pre-draft process for his son Shedeur before the Cleveland Browns ultimately selected the quarterback in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft? "When he takes off his shirt, I see the scars on his back that he's been through hell, but he's made it through hell," Deion Sanders told Garrett Bush of “The Barbershop” podcast this week. “He kept going and he matured, not like he was a child, but he matured spiritually. … You can't force this. If it ain't your time, it ain't your time." The former Colorado Buffalo drew plenty of attention leading up to the draft with speculation swirling about where he might land. Reports that Shedeur did not interview well with teams added to the intrigued behind his fall to the third day. Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament Deion Sanders spoke out against such reports, backing up his son’s pre-NFL success with how he readies himself to play. "It was some ignorant things came out about him pre-draft and all that, and that was a lie," Deion said. "Like, he would never go into a meeting with headphones on. He would never go into a meeting unprepared. Like, that's just not who he is. There's no way he could accomplish the things he accomplished without being prepared." Once the NFL season kicked off, the focus on Shedeur was when he would play. The Browns began the 2025 season with Joe Flacco as the starter and Sanders third on the depth chart behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel . After not taking first-team reps during training camp, Shedeur moved up the depth chart to second after Flacco was dealt to the Cincinnati Bengals before Week 6 . Sanders did not take a snap until the second half of Week 11 after Gabriel was concussed against the Baltimore Ravens . Shedeur would start the Browns' final seven games of the season with the team going 3-4. Head coach Kevin Stefanski was fired and former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken was hired. Shedeur finished his rookie year with 1,400 passing yards, 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in eight games. When Shedeur and Monken finally met in late January, the new Browns head coach reminded his young quarterback that the Ravens were interested in drafting him, but Sanders reportedly told Baltimore he did not want to have to sit behind Lamar Jackson . Deion Sanders said he is a fan of Monken's directness. "He keeps it a buck." Deion added that he wants to meet with Monken as “Deion Sanders the coach,” not “Deion Sanders the dad,” in order to allow the new coach to better understand his potential starting quarterback. “Even a guy like Travis Hunter being drafted to Jacksonville and I've had him for the last three [years], don't you think you would want to talk to me to ask me what gets him going and what backs him off?,” Deion said. “You would want to know that. "So, I anticipate, and I can't wait to have that conversation with Coach Monken." As training camp approaches, Deshaun Watson was reportedly leading the race to be the Browns’ No. 1 quarterback. Monken said earlier this month that he’s “not there yet” on the decision , but Sanders will have his opportunity to make his case for the job
The Cleveland Browns had one of the … interesting … seasons of quarterback play in 2025. The team cycled from veteran Joe Flacco as the starter for the first four games to a pair of overmatched and not-ready-for-primetime rookies in Dillon Gabriel (six starts) and Shedeur Sanders (seven starts), with the result being a five-win season that was in every way imaginable as bad as it looked. Along the way, fans were left wondering what was going on behind the scenes, with such questions as: Why was Flacco Fever not sweeping the town again? What future does Gabriel have in the league? Why, exactly, did people ever think Sanders was more than a fifth-round talent? As luck would have it, some of those answers may be coming this summer when season three of the Netflix series Quarterback debuts on July 14, with Flacco being one of the four quarterbacks being featured, along with Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders , Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans , and old friend Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . According to NFL.com : This year, cameras go behind the scenes with Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders), fresh off a highly anticipated start to his career, as he enters year two looking to build on his dual-threat potential and cement himself as the face of the franchise. Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) returns after stabilizing Tampa Bay’s offense and, with his fiery personality still front and center, aims to prove he can keep the Bucs in contention. Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans) steps into the spotlight as the No. 1 overall pick and one of the league’s most intriguing young quarterbacks, fighting to establish himself. And Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, shockingly traded midseason to the Cincinnati Bengals , embarks on a new chapter, balancing his wealth of experience with the pressure and opportunity of another NFL campaign. For those who have never watched Quarterback, it is well done and does a nice job of showing the work needed during the week to play the position at the highest level, along with the support system that the featured players have away from the field. In the case of Flacco, there will likely be some focus on his short-lived return to the Browns and what it was like dealing with a quarterback room that entered the season with two rookies. And including Mayfield, who remains a divisive figure in Cleveland five years after his last game with the Browns, should make it even more fun to watch. What do you say, Browns fans? Are you excited to learn more about Flacco’s brief tenure with the Browns in 2025? Get the conversation started in the comments!
The Buffalo Bills traded for wide receiver Amari Cooper at the 2024 NFL trade deadline. It feels like forever ago, and in a lot of ways it was. Cooper didn’t play great in Buffalo, but he still had a little gas in the tank. Cooper was out of the NFL in 2025 after retiring from the Las Vegas Raiders . He signed in Vegas after his contract with the Bills expired. Now that the trade is completely in the books, it’s time to look back on the deal. Browns receive: 2025 third-round pick, 2026 seventh-round pick Bills receive: Amari Cooper, 2025 sixth-round pick Cooper left Buffalo after just eight games, catching 20 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns. He played in three playoff games adding six more catched for just 41 yards. Buffalo received a 2025 sixth-round selection in addition to Cooper. The Bills flipped that as part of the trade that sent Kaiir Elam to the Dallas Cowboys . The Bills got pick 170 in the fifth round of 2025 in exchange for the sixth-rounder and Elam. They selected Jordan Hancock with the selection. The Browns received a third-round selection which settled at 94 overall when the draft order was announced in 2025. The Browns selected a potential quarterback of the future in Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel , but that is very much in doubt in a crowded room under a new head coach now. The pick the Browns received ended up at 242. Cleveland traded the pick from the Amari Cooper trade during August 2025. The Jets sent pick 182 to the Browns in exchange for 242 and DT Jowon Briggs . The Browns then sent pick 182 and Greg Newsome to the Jaguars for Tyson Campbell and pick 239 in October. The pick ended up being used by the Seattle Seahawks on DT Deven Eastern after it was traded by the Jets. I think both teams may have fared pretty equally here, with low return on investment. The more interesting thing to look at might be the players the Bills passed on. Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts when a couple picks after the Browns picked Gabriel and would look good in the Bills’ secondary next to Cole Bishop . Titans WR Chimere Dike and Browns QB Shedeur Sanders (insert joke here) were picked after the Bills’ slot and made the Pro Bowl
The period between NFL free agency and the NFL Draft is the perfect time to evaluate your dynasty roster. Part of that process is combing through the waiver wire to figure out who should be rostered ASAP . Here are seven players rostered in less than 51% of dynasty leagues on Sleeper that managers should pick up immediately. Seriously. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Grab these free agents now if they are still out there for the taking in 2026. Cedric Tillman is coming off an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. He sustained a hamstring injury in Week 4 and did not return to action until Week 10. Once he returned after nearly six weeks, the Browns’ offense was a disaster, led by rookie quarterbacks Dillion Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders . Tillman fared much better with Joe Flacco at quarterback. He averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game (FPPG) in his three healthy starts with Flacco directing traffic. Tillman also flashed in his 2024 sophomore season and appeared on the precipice of a second-year breakout. He averaged 15.4 FPPG in Weeks 8 through 12 of the 2024 season before missing the remainder of the campaign with a concussion. Cedric Tillman with 17-yard TD grab #LACvsCLE on CBS and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/JiPRuYZtJ6 — Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 3, 2024 Entering his age-26 season, Tillman will look to shake the injury bug and be a contributor to the Browns’ offense. With only Jerry Jeudy ahead of him on the depth chart, Tillman could revert to his 2024 self quickly. That is, if the Browns can get competent quarterback production this upcoming season. While the team will likely add a receiver in the NFL Draft, Tillman should still have a role as a third wide receiver in what will likely be a fast-paced Todd Monken offense. Currently, his team’s de facto WR2, Tillman, must be rostered in all dynasty formats. The 49ers selected Jordan James in the fifth round of the 2025 draft. He went on to not register a single touch in the regular season, behind both Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr. on the depth chart. His only touches all season came in San Fran’s blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where he registered six carries and one reception for 35 yards. While former waiver wire stud Isaac Guerendo remains on the 49ers’ roster, James appeared to be ahead of him last season on the depth chart. As the presumed backup to CMC this season and with McCaffrey’s injury history, James should be treated as a priority handcuff. Deshaun Watson missed last season recovering from an Achilles injury sustained in Week 7 of 2024. Before then, Watson did not look like the same quarterback that he was with the Houston Texans. He engaged in some truly deplorable sexual behavior, resulting in an 11-game suspension in 2022, and missed 11 games in 2023 as a result of a shoulder injury. Watson has played in only 19 games over the past five seasons, though he is reportedly in pole position to be the Browns’ Week 1 starter. It is anyone’s guess whether he can return to his early-career success, but if he does, he is worth a dynasty roster spot. 💥 THE THROW. THE BULLDOZER. THE FUTURE. Everyone’s talking about how Caleb Williams threads the needle with pinpoint accuracy. 🎯 But don’t miss what comes after the catch — Cole Kmet , looking more like a runaway bulldozer than a tight end, dragging defenders and refusing to go… pic.twitter.com/R5ebSTUHq6 — Hamid FARZAMBEHBOUDI (@HFarzambeh40232) January 20, 2026 Cole Kmet will remain relegated to a backup tight end role in the Bears’ offense with the ascension of rookie Colston Loveland last season. While it is unlikely that the Bears trade Kmet, who still saw a 70.2% Snap Share last season, he could be moved to a tight-end-needy team during the draft, if the Bears are interested in acquiring more draft picks. Kmet is only two years removed from a TE9 finish in FPPG. There is the potential to be a solid fantasy producer if Kmet moves to a team with a need at the position. He makes for a good p
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Gabriel completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 937 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions over 10 games in 2025. Gabriel, a third-round pick in 2025, was part of the Browns' quarterback carousel during his rookie season. He was thrust into the spotlight when he took over for Joe Flacco in Week 5 and went 1-5 as a starter. His tenure was marked by short passes, as Gabriel averaged a league-low among qualified quarterbacks with 5.1 yards per attempt. He often looked out of his depth and was eventually replaced by Shedeur Sanders for the final seven games of the season. All three quarterbacks were hamstrung by an unexciting group of wideouts. Following the end of the regular season, the organization fired head coach Kevin Stefanski -- but curiously retained general manager Andrew Berry -- which leaves Gabriel's future with the team uncertain. A new coach will certainly want to address Cleveland's glaring need for a starting quarterback and possibly backups
Gabriel (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports. Gabriel was inactive for the Browns' Week 17 win over the Steelers due to a shoulder injury. The rookie QB's ability to practice in full Thursday means he should be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bengals, when he'll serve as the Browns' backup behind Shedeur Sanders
Gabriel (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports. Gabriel was added to the injury report last Friday after picking up a shoulder injury late in the week, and he ended up being inactive for Sunday's over the Steelers. The rookie QB's limited practice to begin Week 18 prep suggests he's feeling better, but a full practice by the end of the week would go a long way toward ensuring he'll be cleared to play Sunday against Cincinnati. If Gabriel does suit up, he'll resume working as the Browns' No. 2 QB behind fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders
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