QB · CLE
transaction
Waiver: Taylen Green added, Trey Benson dropped
sleeper-tx-waiverSource unavailable
Adds: Taylen Green. Drops: Trey Benson
Taylen Green
QB · CLE · 23 yrs · exp 0 · Arkansas
Status
- Game status
- Active
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
1,167
Rank
#416
Pos rank
#58
7d trend
+7.2% (7d vs prior)
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Jul 24, 2026 · 1,167
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
analyst
Is Quinshon Judkins Undervalued by Current Redraft ADP?
Quinshon Judkins may be undervalued in current redraft ADP due to his safe production floor and potential for increased efficiency in 2026
general
The last “Brendan Sorsby, Browns” article you will read, probably, for a few months
The Cleveland Browns have a full quarterback room. Here at DBN , we have reported on veteran Deshaun Watson being the starter , the possibility that Shedeur Sanders will evolve into the starting QB , Dillon Gabriel not being out of the equation , and how rookie Taylen Green should develop. But not a single word that the Browns are attempting to bring Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby into the fold. RELATED: NFL SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT OFF THE TABLE FOR SORSBY Plenty of ink has been devoted to who Sorsby is and the journey that might bring him onto Cleveland’s roster. But no quotes from GM Andrew Berry, head coach Todd Monken (quite the opposite, in fact, with Monken), or any other front office personnel stating they are interested, or are going to bring him in. Lots of conversations about the possibility of Sorsby being selected by the Browns. But no proof. Nobody from the Browns has said publicly that they will become the team that is able to get him and bring him into the training camp scenario. And you won’t hear anything. GMs and other team personnel don’t discuss these matters with anyone outside of the organization. They will “Hollywood talk” you to death with answers to questions such as, “We will continue to evaluate our options,” or “We are pleased with the quarterbacks we have under contract, but always look to assess our situation at every position.” That didn’t answer anything. And all media sites are going to ask the hard questions, already knowing they will get the generic answers. Still, it’s what we do, and we media folk have to print something. But no, they aren’t going to divulge anything. It is a subject that may or may not affect Cleveland. Nobody from the Browns front office or coaching staff ever mentioned that they had an interest in him, but then again, they wouldn’t. Because the draft process for the Supplemental version is by bidding, the franchise has no incentive to discuss their feelings if they are interested in him. No GM will divulge their strategy at any time. Teams have traded up to grab a guy in front of one of their division teams because they believed the division foe was going to snare him on intel they received. Sorsby’s situation is a mess. He dug his own grave, and whatever is going on with the remainder of his football career is on him. He wanted to go back to college because he had an NIL eval of $5 million. But realistically, what advertisers were going to be interested? Who made that evaluation? His agent? Teams in the same conference were about to bail on Tech. Teams in other sports had already begun the process, as their volleyball had suffered some cancellations. Looking at his stats, he is a good player with a ton of talent, but is he considered an elite prospect? A franchise QB? Exceptional runner, but Sorsby’s passing stats don’t scream anything other than an above-average passer. He may have been a Texas Tech QB, but he never played a game with them. All of his best stats were with Cincinnati, which never really did anything. The issue is that nobody wants a quarterback who will throw a game because he has money riding on the other team. A missed throw here, an interception in the fourth quarter, an untimely fumble. More than any other position, the QB has the opportunity on every single offensive down to alter the game’s outcome. Sorsby can’t enter the NFL as expected through the Supplemental Draft . He can’t go back to play college football. Perhaps he can play in the Canadian Football League (CFL) this year, although their season is already underway. Then, enter the NFL draft next April under normal draft circumstances after sitting out an entire season. However, on Friday, another roadblock for Sorsby. The CFL announced that they are shutting him out from signing with any of their clubs. Dawgs by Nature has obtained a copy of the statement issued by the CFL league office. It states: “Upholding the integrity of the league and ensuring fair competition are par [... truncated ...]
general
Something or nothing? The trade “rumors” surrounding Browns Shedeur Sanders
Training camp for the Cleveland Browns doesn’t begin until mid-July , but the news cycle doesn’t stop. As it stands, the current quarterback room is below average, based on past performance. Deshaun Watson hasn’t played close to what he did with the Houston Texans . Shedeur Sanders is entering his second year, but his rookie season didn’t show enough for the team to warrant a long-term commitment. Dillon Gabriel ’s ceiling has been established as a backup, and Taylen Green is a development project. A room filled with many questions and not a lot of talent. It doesn’t stop the trade rumors from circulating. Earlier on Monday, trade rumors surrounding quarterback Shedeur Sanders materialized . Rumors are different from reports. Rumors can turn into reports with credible backing, or the rumors end up not gaining any traction. Here is what we know from the information gathered surrounding Sanders, and if a trade is possible: There is a difference between talks and calls in terms of trades. “Talks” are essentially discussions that could grow into a deal, while “calls” are teams calling about specific players but do not rise to the level of “talks.” It’s possible that the Browns are initiating calls instead of receiving calls about Sanders. “His market is low because the tape last season wasn’t spectacular.” One team that has an interest in Sanders is the San Francisco 49ers . The odds of Sanders getting moved would have increased if the Browns were to draft quarterback Brendan Sorsby in the upcoming NFL Supplemental Draft, which is now off the table . The chatter around the league surrounding Sanders is more about him being a “project that needs to be developed.” The Browns aren’t committed to any quarterback in this current room. If they were, there wouldn’t be a QB competition, the trade of Myles Garrett , and even hints of “talks” would be shut down quickly. Minicamp and mandatory OTA’s do not tell us a lot about this competition, but training camp and joint practices will. The rumors can be something, or they can be nothing. In the Browns case, you never know. Considering how Sanders was a fifth-round pick and his rookie tape hasn’t done anything to warrant a long-term commitment, it wouldn’t be surprising if Cleveland were willing to move off of Sanders. The NFL is fluid; anything can change, but these rumors should be considered “calls,” not “talks” for now
general
Cleveland Browns news (6/24): The Sorsby dream appears to be over
Brendan Sorsby, NFL Supplemental Draft off the table for Browns (Jared Mueller) – Will the Cleveland Browns bid on Brendan Sorsby? The question no longer needs asking as the Supplemental Draft is off. Browns QB Dillon Gabriel may still have a future with the club (Thomas Moore) – There are a lot of weeks until roster cutdown day, but the second-year QB could reportedly still find a role in town. Browns ‘won the offseason’ with all their moves (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns made a ton of offseason moves in the NFL Draft and free agency, leading to the top NFL ranking. Giannis trade: Jimmy Haslam influenced by Myles Garrett trade in big decision in big NBA deal (Jared Mueller) – Browns, Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam has traded away Myles Garrett, Giannis Antetokounmpo in less than a month. This Browns rebuild has a chance, but one very big question remains (cleveland.com) – Now that we’ve reached a relative dead period in the NFL, that space between the end of offseason programs and the start of training camp, it’s a good time to take a step back and see where things stand from 10,000 feet. Browns won’t be tempted by Brendan Sorsby with NFL supplemental draft cancellation (Beacon Journal) – Cleveland Browns fans can worry a little less about what the quarterback room will look like after the NFL informed Brendan Sorsby, his reps, and all 32 teams that there will be no supplemental draft this year, effectively stopping any debate about the controversial quarterback before it can begin. Taylen Green’s ceiling with Cleveland Browns revealed (Locked on Browns podcast) – What is rookie quarterback Taylor Green’s ceiling with the Cleveland Browns? Spencer German and Lance Reisland break down Green’s NFL outlook. Former Saints WR, 3-time Pro Bowl wants Shedeur Sanders in New Orleans (Saints Wire) – New Orleans Saints fans are eager to see Tyler Shough take the next step in Year 2, but former Saints wide receiver Dez Bryant has another second-year quarterback in mind: Shedeur Sanders. Report: Atlanta Falcons agree to terms with Kyle Pitts on contract extension (atlantafalcons.com) – Atlanta placed the franchise tag on Pitts, ensuring he remained a Falcon for the 2026 season. With this extension, Pitts is part of the team’s longer-term future. What is going on with Gabe Jacas, the Patriots’ unsigned second-round pick? (The Athletic) – New England ’s second-round pick, Gabe Jacas, remains unsigned in one of the most perplexing rookie contract disputes in recent years, one that leaves Jacas behind schedule as training camp nears and yields all sorts of questions about how much he’ll be able to contribute early in the season. Marvin Mims knows 2026 might be his last year with Broncos: ‘I’m just going to enjoy it to the fullest’ (NFL.com) – Marvin Mims Jr. knows 2026 might be his last season in Denver . If it is truly his final go-around with the Broncos, the Oklahoma product isn’t holding anything back
general
Browns roster: One thing each QB must improve before the 2026 season begins
It’s clear that the Cleveland Browns have a plan at the quarterback position this year, and Todd Monken is seemingly willing to go into it with a completely open mind when it comes to the Deshaun Watson situation. From a fan standpoint, it’s easy to see why this is annoying, but from a football standpoint, it’s probably the correct way to handle the quarterback room right now with the options that the team currently has. If this team is going to win football games in 2026, every player in the quarterback room has to correct some things in the way they play, whether that’s a mental or physical part of playing the position. Watson absolutely has to stop playing so recklessly on the field. If he continues to impress this offseason and ends up being the starter for 2026, he must understand that his days of scrambling around and running the ball are behind him. He has to be able to stay healthy for more than 6-7 games, which is something that he hasn’t done since arriving in Cleveland. Sanders showed a lot of promise in 2025, but one of his biggest problems was the simple fact that he held onto the ball for too long. There were countless times when he had a player open underneath fairly early in the play, but he decided to hold onto the ball so he could find a better option downfield. He needs to stop being a “big game hunter” and learn to take what the defenses give him each play. Consistently delivering balls quickly at the intermediate level of the field is what this coaching staff needs him to do in the new offense. Gabriel has to work on his performance under pressure. He already has obvious size limitations, and when defenders closed in on him, his fundamentals broke down. His footwork gets really sketchy, forcing him to make some off-platform throws, which naturally reduces accuracy. It’s going to be hard for him to stand tall in the pocket (pun intended) and deliver throws in the face of pressure, so he needs to find ways to adapt in 2026. Green is viewed as a developmental project at quarterback, so in terms of what he has to do before the season begins is pretty inconsequential this year. He just has to continue improving as a passer and prove that he could be effective as a wildcat option if Todd Monken wants to use him in that way as a rookie
analyst
Taylen Green's Fantasy-Friendly Skill Set Makes Him a Must-Stash Dynasty Quarterback
Taylen Green's potential as a fantasy quarterback is discussed
general
Cleveland Browns: HC Todd Monken’s truest quote about Browns QB battle
The Cleveland Browns wrapped up their final minicamp of the offseason this week and headed off into the summer break. Everyone will return to Berea in late July for the first training camp under head coach Todd Monken, who will spend the next five weeks or so pondering the most unenviable question that a head coach can face. Who will he turn to as the team’s starting quarterback? But in a twist that reveals just where the Browns are in 2026, the question is one where the answer really does not matter. Monken previously stated he hoped to have a decision made by now, but as the club went through weeks of Organized Team Activities and minicamps, the options remained as unappealing as ever. Should it be: Veteran Deshaun Watson , who has started just 19 games in four seasons with the Browns, suffered two major injuries and had his last good season in 2020? Second-year player Shedeur Sanders, who is coming off a rookie season that was statistically one of the worst the NFL has seen from a first-year quarterback in the past 25 years? Second-year player Dillon Gabriel , the forgotten man in the quarterback room, who started six games as a rookie and performed just as well (or just as poorly, depending on how you look at it) as Sanders? Rookie Taylen Green , just for fun? Monken has likely made the decision already and is now waiting to see how his preferred choice looks after a few training camp practices in pads to confirm or deny his belief. No matter who ultimately “wins” the competition, this being the Browns and quarterbacks, everyone in the room who is still on the roster will see playing time at some point this fall. Monken will never admit that, of course, as the head coach needs to present a positive message to the public that everything will work out for the best. But there was one quote from his meeting with the press on Thursday that does provide a bit of hope that Monken is trying to make the best of the situation. When asked how much public perception – either good or bad – over the quarterback being the “face of the franchise” will weigh into the decision about the starting quarterback, Monken said the exact right thing : “I don’t care. Whoever gives us the best chance to score, and I won’t know that till we play. We don’t know this now in shorts, and we may not know it until we play in the preseason games. And even then, there’s no guarantee of who you’re playing against. The matchups are not always equal. You can decide you’re playing their ones and they’re not. “So ultimately, we take all the information in the offseason and then training camp and then the preseason game of practice and then let it rip.” If it is a quarterback who is unpopular with the fans (Watson), a quarterback with a rabid and delusional national fanbase (Sanders), or one who will have fans running to the liquor cabinet (Gabriel), Monken says he is going with the player he believes is the best option. The sad part is that it doesn’t really matter who Monken chooses. But at least he will be choosing the quarterback for the right reasons
QB · CLE
transaction
FA: Taylen Green added
sleeper-tx-free_agent+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Taylen Green
general
Browns roster: Ranking each quarterback based on spring practice performance
The 2026 offseason practice period is officially over for the Cleveland Browns, and it’s no secret that everybody was focusing on the quarterback position and how it played out over the course of the past month. Today, we’re going to break down and rank all four quarterbacks based on how they performed this spring. Obviously, Watson’s the most controversial player of the group, but he’s also been (surprisingly) the most consistent throughout the offseason practice period for Cleveland. He also looked good moving around the pocket and extending plays in 11-on-11 drills. He consistently ripped off beautiful deep balls in camp as well, connecting on a few 30+ yard completions to guys like Luke Floriea and Tylan Wallace . Sanders got the second-most first-team reps behind Watson, and he also looked pretty good, especially in the intermediate areas of the field. Yes, it was only 7-on-7 and non-contact 11-0n-11 periods, but he looked better in the anticipation department this spring. He did much better at getting the ball out before receivers got out of their breaks on in-breakers than he did as a rookie. Sanders didn’t throw as many touchdown passes in practice, but he looked much more sound from a mental aspect. It’s evident that things have really started to slow down for him heading into year two. To be 100% honest, Gabriel looked pretty much how a backup quarterback should look in spring. He threw a few really nice passes, but had a couple of frustrating interceptions as well. He continues to display a good feel for the offense and is fairly accurate, but his obvious lack of arm strength has limited him throughout the spring. He’s more than capable of operating the offense in the short to intermediate level of the field, but if he needs to extend plays downfield or tries to throw an off-platform deep ball, it gets really sketchy. Green didn’t get much run with the first team this year, and that was to be expected from the team’s 6th-round “project” quarterback. The Browns undoubtedly fell in love with his frame (6’6”, 227 lbs.) and speed (4.36s 40-yard dash), but his throwing mechanics and consistency throwing the football need to improve before he’s ready to see legitimate playing time at the NFL level. There’s a chance that he could be used in different sub-packages or trick plays for Cleveland as a rookie, but that’s about it
general
Todd Monken not ready to name QB1, Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson to continue competition
Browns head coach Todd Monken has said that he would prefer to have a starting quarterback named by the end of the offseason program. It turns out that’s not going to be the case. Monken told reporters in his Tuesday press conference that he’s not planning on naming a QB1 by the end of the club’s minicamp this week. “I really don’t know. I’m not going to name a No. 1 ... chances are, I will not,” Monken said. “Now, once we get to the fall, we’ll have to dissect the reps how we see fit. I just don’t see it after the way Shedeur’s played and Deshaun’s played, they’ve both played well enough to earn the right to compete to start.” That means the competition will continue into training camp, where each player will have the opportunity to separate himself. Tuesday’s session was a good one for both, Monken said. "[Sanders] did a nice job today. He’s been getting better and better with each practice day,” Monken said. no"And I thought Deshaun did some good things today. So, I thought they both functioned at a high level. We had a couple of pre-snap issues. But I thought they both functioned at a high level today.” Generally, Monken said he’s been pleased with what he’s seen from Sanders and Watson during the offseason program. “First of all, it’s been great to watch them progress,” Monken said. “The sad part is in two days, they go away for five or six weeks — that’s what sucks, because you just start to get a little bit of momentum, you’re stacking plays. You’re seeing some things you really like. We’ve got to do a great job as a staff for, when they get back, picking up where they left off. “But, it’s been fun to watch those guys compete. The whole room, they’re really smart guys, highly competitive. And they’ve come a long way. I’m excited about the room.” While Dillon Gabriel — who will now wear No. 6 after Jared Verse came in for No. 8 — and rookie Taylen Green on the roster, the competition in actuality is between Sanders and Watson. We’ll see how things change once pads come on during training camp
general
Denzel Ward gets candid about his Browns future in wake of shocking Myles Garrett trade
Cornerback Denzel Ward expressed his desire to remain with the Cleveland Browns following the trade of his teammate Myles Garrett. Despite the significant change and the team entering a rebuilding phase, Ward is committed to staying and playing his best ball. General Manager Andrew Berry also affirmed Ward's importance to the team
general
Cleveland Browns: Could a new QB option appear in 2027?
The Cleveland Browns will follow a familiar, tired script in late July when they open training camp in Berea. Without a true starting quarterback on the roster, head coach Todd Monken has the unenviable task of choosing between: Veteran Deshaun Watson , who has only played in 19 games since joining the Browns in 2022, has twice suffered season-ending injuries in that time, and has not been consistently good since 2020. Second-year player Shedeur Sanders , who is coming off a rookie season that was statistically one of the worst the NFL has seen from a first-year quarterback in the past 25 years. Fellow second-year player Dillon Gabriel , who played as poorly as Sanders last season, or rookie Taylen Green , who might be in line for a “package of plays” but is nowhere near being ready to see the field as a starter. For those who have been fans of the Browns for more than just the final seven games of the 2025 season, they know how this movie ends. Cleveland has not made it through an entire season with just one starting quarterback since 2020, so whoever wins the starter’s job between Watson and Sanders will not make it through the entire season either because of injury (most likely Watson) or continued poor play (both fit that category). And ready or not, Green is practically a lock to start at least one game at the end of the season. As for Gabriel? He will most likely spend the fall in Atlanta , Miami , or somewhere else. From there, the Browns can finally move on from Watson, keep Sanders as the most-popular backup quarterback the league has ever seen (or not), let Green continue as the developmental quarterback, and hope to strike it rich at the position in the 2027 NFL Draft. But what if another option presents itself to general manager Andrew Berry? An option that is both familiar and would represent possibly the greatest comeback in franchise history? We’re talking, of course, about Baker Mayfield. The No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield looked like the answer after leading the Browns to the playoffs in 2020 and getting off to a hot start in 2021 before a shoulder injury derailed the season in Week 2. Things spiraled from there as the Browns took the “big swing and a miss” on Watson in 2022 and subsequently traded Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers . It took him a while to refind his mojo, but once Mayfield landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, he led the Buccaneers to the playoffs in 2023 and 2024, and only missed on making it three years in a row thanks to some late-game collapses by the defense down the stretch. Mayfield is entering the final year of his contract with Tampa Bay , and the two sides are “not close” to reaching a new deal, as Mayfield said on Friday during an interview at his youth football camp : “We love the community, we love being here, they’ve embraced us, and we enjoy being here and obviously gonna raise kids here. But yeah, contract stuff, it’s happening, it’s starting, the talks and whatnot, but not anywhere close to what we were thinking. “So, we’d love to be here long-term, and as of right now, it’s not exactly the case. But as of now, I’m under contract for 2026, and the guys in that locker room, the staff know that I’m still gonna be me. I’m still gonna do everything that I can to help this team win the Super Bowl. To me, that’s the priority. Everything else will take care of itself. Obviously, yes, I would love to have a long-term deal, but they know my deadline is as soon as training camp starts, we’re not doing any contract stuff, it’s all ball. So, it’s not up to me when that gets done. So, hopefully before that. If not, we’re still gonna have a good year.” So could Mayfield and the Browns have a reunion in 2027? On Mayfield’s side, any beef he may have with head coach Kevin Stefanski resides in Atlanta now that Stefanski is head coach of the Falcons. And as long as Odell Beckham Jr. is nowhere to be seen in Cuyahoga County, everything should go [... truncated ...]
QB · CLE
transaction
Waiver: Taylen Green added, Jaydon Blue dropped
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Taylen Green. Drops: Jaydon Blue
analyst
Deshaun Watson the First QB Up During OTA Drills on Wednesday
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
general
Cleveland Browns keep moving toward what was once unthinkable
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
general
Browns' NFL Week 1 quarterback competition: Deshaun Watson favored to start opener over Shedeur Sanders
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 [... truncated ...]
QB · CLE
transaction
Waiver: Taylen Green added
sleeper-tx-waiver+1 story · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Taylen Green
general
Browns schedule: 1 PM slots abound, best for fans?
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?
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Browns fans should be rooting for these 9 young QBs in 2026
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 [... truncated ...]
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