Browns QB Race: Early Birds Sanders & Watson Lead

0:00On March 31st, Cleveland Browns got a wide open quarterback battle this off-season, with Shadour Sanders, DeShawn Watson, and Dylan Gabriel all vying. For the starting spot, under new offensive coordinator, Todd Monkin. The key to winning it? Who grinds the hardest learning this fresh scheme, since reps early on give a huge edge? Monkin drops some real talk recently, saying Sanders has been in the building putting in work, which he loves, and Watson showed up early too for. Not on one time, but Gabriel hasn't shown his face yet, according to the coach. That absence hits Gabriel hard, especially as a second year guy. Last season, he started six games, appeared in 10, hit 59.5% of his passes for 937 yards, 7. Touchdowns, and just two picks, posting an 80.2 rating, solid but not sharp enough on drives compared to Sanders. With Sanders and Watson already ahead in the facility game, Gabriel's odds for the 2026 starting gig looks slim, even if he gets a shot.

1:00Later, the upside from the other two feels higher right now. This QB race shapes up fast for the Browns, and early burs like Sanders and Watson are chirping loudest while Gabriel plays catch-up.