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Shedeur Sanders gets positive prediction.
The Cleveland Browns appear to be searching for a starting quarterback this offseason, but the answer may be on their roster.
Cleveland has been searching for its franchise quarterback for years, and the Browns finished last season with Shedeur Sanders as their starting quarterback. However, Cleveland has been linked to making blockbuster trades, as well as the potential of drafting a quarterback.
Yet, NFL analyst Bill Bender of SportingNews predicts Sanders will be the Browns’ Week 1 starter next season.
“Sanders made the Pro Bowl. Deshaun Watson still has one year left on a five-year, $230 million contract,” Bender wrote. “He has made 19 starts in four years with the Browns. Dillon Gabriel also is in the mix, and there always is a chance to add a veteran such as Tyler Huntley or Kirk Cousins – who we picked to be the starter at this time last year – into the mix.
“As if there aren’t enough options, SN’s latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft has the Browns taking Ty Simpson in the first round. Our pick: Shedeur Sanders.”
If the Browns do start Sanders in Week 1, it likely means the team didn’t add any impact quarterback. But that could mean the Browns did draft a quarterback on Day 2 or Day 3, but that would still keep Sanders in line to start Week 1 for Cleveland.
Sanders finished the year throwing for 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Browns Have Options at QB
If Cleveland doesn’t add a quarterback, the Browns still have options at quarterback.
The Browns could turn to Sanders again, or the team could go to Deshaun Watson, who appears to be healthy. New Browns head coach Todd Monken, meanwhile, is reportedly intrigued by Watson, according to Mary Kay Cabot.
“Browns coach Todd Monken acknowledged on the day he was hired that he’s ‘intrigued’ by three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson, and that he’s just as excited to work with him as he is Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and anyone else the Browns acquire,” wrote Cabot. “The two men have already communicated, and are eager to work together once the offseason program begins in April.”
With Monken intrigued by Watson, perhaps that does lead to him landing the starting job. But, Cleveland is keeping all their options open at quarterback.
Monken Likes Cleveland’s QB Room
Although many analysts have hinted at the Browns adding to their quarterback room, Monken likes what Cleveland has.
“Well, I think like any position on the team, that’s still to be determined. Am I excited about Shedeur? Am I excited about all the quarterbacks in the room? Absolutely,” Monken said. “I can’t wait for them to get back and for us to get started.”
Monken, meanwhile, knows he was brought in to help turn around the Browns’ offense, which is his goal.
“There’s a reason why I was hired here,” Monken said. “Let’s not kid ourselves. I was hired to become elite on offense and that’s what we’re going to fight every day to be, and I’m fired up because I think we have a chance to really take off. I think the time is right now to take off and really build it the way you want, so you’re consistently competing for championships.”
Regardless of who’s at quarterback, Monken knows the Browns offense has to be better in 2026.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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