The Browns aren\u2019t rushing to name their Week 1 starter in the middle of February.<\/p>\n
Speaking Tuesday during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, returning general manager Andrew Berry said \u201cit\u2019s too early to say<\/a>\u201d whether Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson will be QB1 come September, and how the team is \u201clooking outside,\u201d according to Cleveland.com\u2019s Mary Kay Cabot.<\/p>\n The Browns, who finished in the basement of the AFC North at 5-12, had a rotating cast at quarterback in 2025 that included veteran Joe Flacco, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.<\/p>\n Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders played eight games at QB this season. Aaron Josefczyk\/UPI\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Deshaun Watson agreed to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal with the Browns in 2022. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Watson, the team\u2019s $230 million quarterback, was sidelined for the year<\/a> after re-rupturing his Achilles tendon. He is projected to be<\/a> an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026, the final season of his five-year deal, according to Spotrac.<\/p>\n Sanders, a fifth-round pick in last year\u2019s draft, took over as the starter in November and threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions across eight games. <\/p>\n Although Sanders\u2019 NFL career has only just begun, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Watson, whose controversial union with the Browns has been a resounding disappointment<\/a>.<\/p>\n Browns GM Andrew Berry speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 24, 2026. Getty Images<\/p>\n The quarterback, who had been accused of sexual misconduct before agreeing to a five-year, fully guaranteed contract with the club, has struggled to stay healthy and has delivered uneven performances<\/a> when actually on the field.<\/p>\n With the Browns entering 2026 with a new head coach \u2014 the club hired Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken to succeed the fired Kevin Stefanski \u2014 it remains to be seen if a new QB will join the team, too.<\/p>\n